18,000 police officers to be mobilized during Biden's visit to Tokyo

To protect against internal threats? Feels weird as I don't think of Japan as having an issue with terrorism.

Got to give them something to do

Not sure why so many police officers needed. Crime is super low in Japan and people in Japan support Biden more than people in the US. Lol.

Got to give them something to do

Right, another year with no fireworks festivals for them to be mobilized so that they can shout into megaphones to remind us to mind our steps.

Was out yesterday (in Kobe) and didn’t see a single police car or cop walking around-guess they are all up in Tokyo practising how to search cars….

That explains the massive police presence near Akasaka yesterday. I guess they’re practicing already.

how about an online meeting instead?

The criminals will have field day knowing this.

Why bother? As if anyone here cares about Biden. Just give him 18 police escorts and a tour guide.

Better idea: mobilize half the number of police officers, monitor the contrast (if any), and calculate the taxpayer savings!

What a waste of everybody's time and money! What's wrong with zoom?

He is the President of the United States, should something happen while in Japan that’s a really big thing. So an outer ring of security is warranted. As much as I disparage J cops, they can swamp an area with personal.

Amazing how much taxpayers' money is wasted on such an unworthy individual. Just to show the plebs our place, I guess.

Japan is the least likely country they have the meetings at to have large, disruptive, much less violent protests.

Japanese don’t protest in that way in general during these times much anyways, and certainly not by comparison to Western Europe or the USA.

With a decreased presence elsewhere, professional criminals will probably take advantage.

Paul14

The problem with Zoom is, the Chinese can peek in on the meeting!

lol

While this does seem to be overkill, they’ll be men at work!

When mobilize 18,00012?

Wouldn't be easier and cheaper to just shut down that area till it's over then you only need half the number of security guards not even police officers.

Better yet what not have the meeting on one of these resort islands in the south and not bother the people of Tokyo and their way of life.

Hasn't the Tokyo Metro PD been in a state of "high alert" for...like... the past 10 years?

One of my friends mentioned to me that Japan has the highest police to citizen per capita in the world, with Tokyo being exceptionally high. Didn't check the stats but I can easily believe him.

Personally, I'm sure I have noticed a significant increase in their numbers over the past year or so, at least in central Tokyo.

18,000 police officers to be mobilized during Biden's visit to Tokyo

You know what that means, folks – don’t forget your Zairyu Cards (!)

It's a colonial display of force... Kowtow to your master.

18 000? More than last time fir Obama in Ginza. Another proof of stupid Japanese authorities overreacting way which will cost several billions to citizens! Such waste of money that could wisely be used in social field for example...

When Biden gets here, Im going to ask him where my stimulus check is. Been waiting a long time.

I suppose they have to protect him at all costs. The alternative is Kamala! Not even hard-boiled Democrats want that.

Why so many? Who are they expecting that would come and harm him? The Chinese? North Korea? Even the Pope didn’t get that kind of security.

OVERTIME PAY!!!!

The Japanese approach to law enforcement. Throwing a million officers at a problem. Notice how the government's police budget keeps going higher and higher, even as the country's population declines and public safety rises.

And there will also probably be 18,000 less public accessible trash receptacles and toilets as result of these escalating preemptive security measures for one foreign dignitary’s temporary visit.

Massive amounts spent on ‘security’ and measly amounts spent on education.

No wonder Japan is entering a huge dark chasm from which there is no escape…

Why waste time and money with this nonsense? Just hold the meeting on one of the small islands with an airport. Problem solved and you could do this with 100 police.

And there will also probably be 18,000 less public accessible trash receptacles and toilets as result of these escalating preemptive security measures for one foreign dignitary’s temporary visit.

This was a misleading headline - this is not just for Biden's visit, it is for the visit of leaders and their hanger-ons from three countries.

Police almost everywhere I go, especially in the subways...

Why so many? Who are they expecting that would come and harm him? The Chinese? North Korea? Even the Pope didn’t get that kind of security.

You seriously think The Pope usually has a security contingent larger than the POTUS?

The police are in Tokyo to protect Scotty. He has an election, and wants war with China. Regarding Biden, only threat to him is NK showing off their shiny new hypersonic ballistic missile or a nuclear weapon test. Both of these, 18,000 police in Tokyo can do nothing about, as they will be in some remote part of the sea in international waters or underground in mainland NK.

using the very cheap Zoom, with a firewall, will save Japanese taxpayers probably about $35 million. And the disruption of daily life in Tokyo.

18,000 police officers to be mobilized during Biden's visit to Tokyo:

Why engage such a huge shield of protection for the visiting leaders' safety & security, or just for Biden only?

Anyway, who would want to harm this old man for no obvious reason?

What a wasteful covert 'pomp'..

They could hold the meetings on an aircraft carrier or large cruiser anchored in Tokyo Bay; it's been done before.

Given the crowds that show up to see him in the rest of the world, I don't think they'll need more than a handful of cops.

You can bet they will be watching and questioning all foreigners like hawks on that day. I remember when Clinton visited Japan in 1996. They actually let him jog around Jingu-Gaien park without closing it down to the public.

These police are samurais, and the castle is in Tokyo. The more there are shows how much more important the US President is to Japan. This is to show respect.

That about the same amount I saw dealing with a parking violation last week.

CrashTestDummyToday  07:06 am JST

Not sure why so many police officers needed. 

I have a few theories:

a) it gives the otherwise bored J-cops something else to do rather than racially profile and discriminate people

b) it's an invasion of the dreaded gaijin so they must be prepared and protect their precious, precious land

c) to show-off and overcompensate to look good in international spotlight