American man arrested in Japan suspected of World Expo terror plot
Another American man has been arrested for bringing a gun into Japan, less than a month after the last incident.
This latest incident however appears significantly more serious, due to the fact that, in addition to the gun, a large amount of ammunition and a knife were found in the luggage of an alleged “tourist”, in contrast to a recent case where a man self-reported that he had “accidentally” brought his gun into Japan.
On the 10th of April, the Osaka Prefectural Police made a public announcement regarding the arrest of Alexander Kay Okamura, a 35-year-old United States national.
The arrest was made under suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law, specifically for allegedly smuggling a handgun into Kansai International Airport.
Law enforcement officials also reported that, in addition to the handgun, the suspect was found to be in possession of what appeared to be a significant quantity, described as dozens, of live rounds of ammunition, as well as a bladed weapon identified as a knife.
According to information provided by the Osaka Prefectural Police, the suspect has reportedly admitted to the charges brought against him.
In his statement, he indicated that his decision to travel to Japan was motivated by the fact that the World Expo was due to open shortly.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into his specific motive and overall purpose for visiting Japan at this time.
A news report by ANN has indicated that due to the deliberate concealment of the weapons, as well as the mans stated desire to visit the Osaka-Kansai Expo, that police are currently under the belief that the intention was to commit a terrorist act.
The formal arrest was made under the suspicion that the suspect engaged in the act of smuggling a handgun into Japan from the United States on the 8th of April.
Further details released by the Fourth Investigation Division of the Osaka Prefectural Police indicate that the suspect arrived at Kansai International Airport on a flight originating from an airport located within the United States.
Customs officials became suspicious of the suspect as he attempted to enter the country and during a search of the luggage that he had brought with him, a handgun, ammunition and a knife were found.
The Osaka Prefectural Police proceeded to make an emergency arrest of the suspect in the early morning hours of the 9th of April, after being notified of the findings of the search.
It was also reported that the knife found in the suspect’s possession was concealed within a pair of sneakers that were inside his bag.
Law enforcement authorities currently believe that the suspect managed to bypass security checks, which are in place to prevent dangerous items from being brought onto aircraft, at his point of departure in the United States.
The Osaka Prefectural Police are actively investigating the specific circumstances surrounding this apparent security breach.
Security is currently a major concern in Japan as the Osaka-Kansai Expo, set to be held on the artificial island of Yumeshima, located in Konohana Ward, Osaka City, is scheduled to commence on the 13th of April.
With the Expo due to see a significant amount of visitors, the safety of all those attending is a priority for all authorities involved.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun