Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Japan will deploy about 10,000 police officers to secure the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sept. 19, with authorities also turning to artificial intelligence and expanded drone restrictions.
Around 3,100 officers will come from specially dispatched police units across the country, according to Japan’s National Police Agency.
The opening ceremony will be held at an athletic stadium in Nagoya and is expected to be attended by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not expected to attend.
Security measures will include designated no-fly zones for drones within roughly one kilometer of the ceremony venue and the imperial couple’s accommodation.
The restrictions will mark the first use of Japan’s revised drone law for an event attended by the emperor.
Authorities said artificial intelligence would also be incorporated into security operations, although details on how the technology would be used were not immediately specified.
Japan is hosting the Asian Games for the first time since 1994. The competition will run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
Athletes from countries including North Korea and Iran are among those expected to take part in the regional sporting event.