Photo/Illutration Senior officers of the National Police Agency attend a meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 26 to discuss security measures for the Group of Seven summit to be held in Hiroshima in May next year. (Hidemasa Yoshizawa)

The National Police Agency, mindful that even former prime ministers can be shot dead in Japan, as happened this past summer with Shinzo Abe, is gearing up to keep world leaders safe when they attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May next year.

The agency on Oct. 26 convened its first meeting of senior officials tasked with the challenge. It was attended by around 20 senior officers, including all bureau chiefs and department heads, as well as managers of divisions within the NPA’s security bureau.

During the meeting, NPA Commissioner General Yasuhiro Tsuyuki cited international terrorism, cyberattacks and the threat posed by extreme right-wing groups and radical organizations as key areas of concern.

He also referred to the possibility of “lone wolf crimes,” as was the case when Abe was gunned down July 8 while campaigning in Nara city, involving a disgruntled individual with no particular ties to any organization.

“We must ensure the safety of the VIPs and the smooth running of the event with all the might of police forces across the country,” Tsuyuki stated.

Learning from appalling security lapses that allowed a lone gunman to get within range of Abe, the NPA has overhauled its rules and arrangements on providing security for VIPs.

Noting that many foreign and Japanese dignitaries will attend the summit, Tsuyuki said the host nation faces “an extremely important task.”

He insisted on practical drills and other steps to enhance security capacity while the summit is in progress.

Tsuyuki also urged police forces across Japan to remain vigilant at large-scale venues that attract huge crowds, not just at the summit venue and its related facilities.

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