Japan's Haneda Airport Improves Security Patrol Ahead Of Shinzo Abe's State Cemetery

JAKARTA - Police officers are stepping up patrols at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, as Japan moves to increase security ahead of state funerals for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month.

About 60 officers with some of them carrying metal detectors, as well as two sniffer dogs, inspecting airport corners, trash cans to lockers at Terminal 3 airports, which are expected to be used by foreign delegates to attend the ceremony on September 27 in Tokyo.

Police also distributed pamphlets to airport users to ask for cooperation in preventing terrorist attacks such as reporting suspicious objects.

The examination, which was opened to the press, also involved operators of airport terminal buildings and security companies.

The Japanese government estimates that more than 190 foreign delegates visited Japan to attend the ceremony in the Nippon Budokan hall.

"It is the responsibility of the police to secure the safety of officials traveling to Japan for state funerals," said Yusuke Takayama, an official from the Metropolitan Police Department, who vowed to do his best by the department, quoted by Kyodo News September 14.

US Vice President Kamala Harris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Council President Charles Michel were among the top foreign officials expected to attend the funeral.

Shinzo Abe, the country's longest-serving prime minister, was shot dead while delivering a short speech while campaigning in Nara in July.