Tokyo police to establish unit for lone wolf extremists

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is taking a proactive step in preventing terrorism by establishing a new section dedicated to investigating lone wolf attackers operating independently. This initiative, set to launch in April next year, marks the first of its kind in a Japanese police department.

Lone wolf incidents, like the recent attacks on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have underscored the need for improved information-gathering methods to combat terrorism and serious crimes. Detecting lone offenders posing a threat has proven challenging due to their self-sufficiency in planning and executing attacks.

The new section within the MPD’s reorganized Public Security Bureau aims to consolidate information from various departments, including the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Community Police Affairs Bureau, to enhance vigilance against suspicious individuals and online activities. By strengthening its cyberpatrol efforts, the MPD seeks to establish a more effective organizational system capable of responding to lone offender threats.

With a relentless dedication to public safety, the MPD is positioning itself at the forefront of national security by proactively addressing the evolving landscape of terrorism.