Dog anti-terrorism drills for Tokyo 2020

Japanese officials undertook anti-terrorism drills involving dogs trained to detect suspicious items, including explosives, at Tokyo Station yesterday, as they ramped up security preparations for next year's Olympic Games.During the drill, specially trained Labradors and Beagles sniffed commuters near ticket barriers, as officials attempted to balance the need for security while not causing too much disruption to the capital's busy transport system.Nearly 20 million people use public transport daily in the greater Tokyo area, home to more than 35 million people.An estimated 600 000 additional people are expected to come to the city during the Games, meaning both security and efficient transport are concerns for local officials.Yesterday's drills follow similar tests conducted at another Tokyo subway station in March.At separate tests body scanners have also been introduced to detect hazardous objects hidden in clothing, according to the land, infrastructure, transport and tourism ministry (MLIT).“This is a new project conducted for Tokyo 2020,” the ministry's railway chief Hidenoby Nomoto told reporters on Wednesday.“Considering the result of this experiment test, we would like to analyse the fluidity of travellers, or how the customers felt.”Most of the commuters observing the drills were pleased with the extra security measures.“They do these kinds of security in airports (so) I think it's a nice thing to do for safety,” said Tokyo resident Sayaka Ito.The Tokyo 2020 Olympics run from 24 July to 9 August next year.NAMPA/REUTERS

Dog anti-terrorism drills for Tokyo 2020

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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Dog anti-terrorism drills for Tokyo 2020

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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