Japanese National Police Agency establishes 'Lone Wolf' terrorism intelligence collection center in preparation for 2026 Asian Games

(Tokyo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Cho Sung-mi = The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 10th that the Japanese National Police Agency is gathering information on so-called 'lone wolves' (Lone Offender, LO) who are attempting radical terrorism on their own ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Japanese National Police Agency announced that it will establish the 'LO Threat Information Integration Center', which collects and manages information on signs of terrorism, and will operate it until the 24th of next month, when the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games closes.

With the goal of preventing terrorism in advance by analyzing social media (SNS) posts coming from inside and outside of Japan using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, we also plan to analyze posts in foreign languages ​​other than Japanese.

This is the third time the center has been established following the Japanese House of Councilors (Senate) election last year and the House of Representatives (House of Representatives) election in February this year, and this is the first time it has been prepared for a sports competition.

Japanese police authorities plan to prepare security for up to 10,000 people per day in connection with the hosting of the Asian Games.

As athlete lodging facilities are prepared around Nagoya Port, we plan to strengthen security in cooperation with the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, on the 19th and 20th, when Emperor Naruhito and his wife visit Aichi Prefecture to attend the opening ceremony, unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) flights will be restricted within a 1km radius around the opening ceremony venue and the emperor's residence.

The National Police Agency designated this area as a no-drone flight zone on the 7th as the amendment to the Drone Regulation Act was implemented in July to prevent aerial terrorism against important figures.

It has been reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will not attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in Nagoya on the 19th due to attending the United Nations General Assembly.