JAPAN: Anti-terrorism gadgets go on display in Tokyo at a security expo as alerts are issued in several European nations

Record ID: 465631

  • Title: JAPAN: Anti-terrorism gadgets go on display in Tokyo at a security expo as alerts are issued in several European nations
  • Date: 8th October 2010
  • Summary: TV SCREEN SHOWING POINTS WHERE METAL IS BEING DETECTED AND TRACKED ON A MAN'S BODY
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHNSQBYMGWZJA3L2WX2B6UI8O
  • Story Text: Amid rising concerns in Europe over recently elevated terror alerts, Japanese defense manufacturers gathered in Tokyo on Wednesday (October 6) to show off new products that they hope will prepare Japan and other nations to deal with potential future attacks.
    A Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Tokki Systems corporation, was on hand to show its newest bomb detecting robot, that can also locate victims possibly trapped in bomb blast rubble.
    "We are expecting that something similar to (what's happening Europe) will eventually happen in Japan too, so we hope our customers here will be able to use our products, and hope we may be able to improve on them for future use," said Electronic Business Department, Marketing Division Deputy Manager, Yano Hiroshi.
    Yano is among 394 vendors who have gathered at the Riscon 2010 Security and Safety Trade Expo in the hope of expanding their business to a nation considered generally untouched by overseas terror attacks.
    Japan's only large scale terror attack came on March 20,1995 at the hands of the domestic religious Aum Shinrikyo cult, who's members released sarin gas on the public transport system killing thirteen and injuring thousands. Many believe Japan has yet to see the same sort of fundamentalist terror movements experienced recently in Europe and North America, partly due to its strict immigration policies and homogeneous society.
    Richard Nakao, President of Nakao International C&E admits that Japan is inexperienced in handling major terror threats, but hopes that if ever it does happen that they will be prepared.
    "Japan is not used to terrorism, because it is a relatively safe country. Therefore, even though professionals are trained to deal with emergency situations they don't have real life experience. We hope that the products we provide to Japanese authorities can help them in real life situations. Not only the police, but also self defense forces," Nakao said showing off an American-made tracking device that allows military and other emergency teams to monitor the vital signs of soldiers and first responders in the field.
    France has been on high alert after seven hostages, including five French citizens, were kidnapped by the North African wing of al Qaeda last month, and Senate approval to ban full-face veils. The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a warning to Americans to exercise caution while in Europe, and Britain raised its terrorism threat level to high from general for those traveling to Germany and France.
    At the expo, displays of chemical suits, riot gear, automatic weapons, airport scanners, and chemical detection devices were gaining prominence compared to previous years.
    While the organisers of the exhibition were not able to comment on current market conditions of the security and safety business, they noted the anti-terrorism section in particular saw a 15 percent increase year-on-year in vendors, in what is believed to be an increasingly expanding market.
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