Police say they are ready to ensure security for six-month Osaka Expo
Led by the Osaka Prefectural Police, authorities have thoroughly prepared security systems for the World Expo, which opens on Osaka's human-made Yumeshima island on Sunday.
The authorities will deploy up to 10,000 personnel for Saturday's opening ceremony, including special units from police departments across the country.
During the 184-day event, police will have to step up security for this summer's Upper House election, while also preparing in the event of a natural disaster.
Security for the expo is seen as particularly difficult, due largely to its extended length compared to other recent international events.
The 2019 summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in Osaka and the 2023 summit of the Group of Seven rich nations in Hiroshima were each held over just a handful of days. The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, held in 2021, were held over a period of 45 days.
"It's possible to respond to events lasting several days with 24-hour security systems by a small number of leaders who understand the situation well," Tsuyoshi Iwashita, head of the Osaka Prefectural Police, said at a symposium in February.
"Riot police can make elaborate responses" to events of more than a month, added Iwashita, who has been involved in large-scale security operations for the Tokyo Games and international conferences.
For the security during the six-month expo period, however, he emphasized, "It will be necessary to rotate the post of commander among many members."
"The important thing is to make the appropriate initial response to an emergency, whoever is in command," he added.
Compared with the 2005 World Expo in Aichi Prefecture, which also lasted half a year, there are significantly added challenges for the Osaka Expo.
Police may have to counter terrorism threats against the backdrop of an unstable international situation, while also be on guard against threats using cutting-edge technology, like drones and cyberattacks.
"We moved forward with preparations for security at the expo by assuming various threats and responses to them," said a senior Osaka police official.
During the expo, the Upper House election is due to be held. In last year's election campaign for the House of Representatives, police had to provide security for many people giving stump speeches at more than 1,200 locations across the country.
This year, police will be required to conduct security activities for the campaign period in parallel with protocols for the expo.
The overall strength of the police organization could be tested further as it may also have to respond to torrential rains and other natural disasters that occur almost every year in the country, experts said.
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