Japan heightens security for G7 leaders summit

Tokyo, May 25: Japanese authorities on Wednesday has increased security measures ahead of the two-day G7 summit slated to begin on Thursday in the Ise-Shima National Park.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force has deployed several ships including an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer in the waters surrounding the Kashiko island where the hotel that will host the major meetings is located, EFE news reported.

Users of Chubu International Airport, where flights of leaders will land late on Wednesday, have been subjected to more rigorous controls both inside and at the entrances for days.

In total the prefectures of Mie, where Ise-Shima is located, and Aichi, where the airport is located, have deployed around 23,000 police officers for the summit, about 1,000 more compared with the G7 leaders meeting last year at Schloss Elmau in Germany.

Tokyo, despite being about 300 km from the summit venue, has also greatly reinforced security measures.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has deployed another 19,000 officers to patrol at different points in the capital city.

IANS