In preparation for major international events such as the Osaka-Kansai Expo and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Yokohama Customs conducted an anti-terrorism drill on March 14. The exercise took place at the Kawasaki International Post Office, which handles approximately 80% of Japan’s international mail.
The scenario involved a suspicious liquid found in a postal package at the customs inspection area, leading to the simulated injury of a customs officer.
Around 100 participating customs officers quickly evacuated to an outdoor area.
Following the evacuation, Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) terrorism response unit arrived on-site.
Dressed in protective suits, the specialized team used toxic gas detectors to identify the substance and confirmed the step-by-step procedure for neutralizing and removing the hazardous material.
With Japan hosting high-profile international events, the government is ramping up security measures to counter potential threats, particularly those exploiting mail and logistics channels.
How can authorities further enhance their detection capabilities to mitigate such risks in the future?.