Japan national police chief to resign over Abe's assassination

Good idea, but I'm sure he will be reassigned to another position with the same benefits and security. Not much difference here.

He is almost close to retirement

No, he probably should already be retired. He is 59. Last guy (Mitsuhiro Matsumoto) retired at 60. It would appear they appoint these guys only for 1-2 years as some kind of political reward before they retire, rather than try to hire a younger person for a longer tenure. However, I realize in Japan age and experience trump competency when it comes to those positions. In fact, I bet this resignation probably means he'll get a bigger payout. I'm sure behind the scenes they offered him a nice farewell package.

@GaijinjlandToday  08:11 am JST

Why don’t ex PM’s get life long secret service protection like former US presidents? Police are supposed to be the first line of defense. Secret service are supposed to surround their asset in case of any breach.

It would appear even the police think of heywa boke first too.

Why don’t ex PM’s get life long secret service protection like former US presidents? Police are supposed to be the first line of defense. Secret service are supposed to surround their asset in case of any breach.

OMG, he deserves a long rest. I don't think many can imagine the amount of stress he probably was experiencing these past weeks.

Well, at least there is some honour left in Japan. A drop in the ocean, but refreshing. Pity about his third rate police force.

The guy looks to be in his 90s. I'd say that was in order regardless. Need to turn this country over to the new generation, and that doesn't mean the 65s-70s.

"he took the former p.m.'s death seriously"

Really? I wonder who tapped him on the shoulder and said "time to retire."

I agree his resignation and completely against Abe's national funeral.

Him resigning isn't going to bring former Prime Minister Abe back so what's the point exactly?

It was the decent thing to do altough maybe the security team of operationals in that day should be sent to behind a desk distributing tgeir colleges outfits clean from the dryclean shop for a year or two.

I expect an episode of "amakudari" is about to occur.... Our ex policemen will have nice jobs lined up. And yes, he will be keeping his pension.

Is he forfeiting his pension?

Just askin'

, we need to have a new system," Nakamura told a news conference

but it won’t change. Like anything else around here.

He is almost close to retirement and making him responsible will not change the responsibilities of on duty officers at the time of assassination.

Perhaps he needed to preside over the investigation that led to his own "retirement." Stranger things have happened.

Or he was securing a higher paid position in the private sector before taking "responsibility"

Abe's family paid tribute to him in a private Buddhist ritual Thursday marking the 49th day of his assassination.

In Nara, prefectural police chief Tomoaki Onizuka also expressed his intention to step down over Abe's assassination.

The twin resignations are done in a sensible timing.

But yes, he looks stressed and to be honest, I am a bit surprised he held out this long.

SOMEBODY's head was going to roll for that cluster-duck (apart from Abe's of course). They might have just as well have gotten it over with earlier.

Perhaps he needed to preside over the investigation that led to his own "retirement." Stranger things have happened.

Could have been under a huge amount of stress,but given this is 'safety Japan',he has probably been living it large for the last four decades.

It wont help or change anything.