Tokyo Metropolitan Police conducted a counter-terrorism drill on May 14, 2026 [1], simulating a knife attack inside a public bus.
These exercises allow security forces to test high-pressure response procedures in confined public spaces to ensure civilian safety during actual attacks. The simulation focused on the coordination between firearms deployment and the use of specialized police dogs.
Officers from the Hikarigaoka Police Station led the operation in Nerima Ward [2]. The scenario involved a suspect armed with a knife who had boarded a bus, creating a hostage-like situation. During the exercise, police officers fired pistols to neutralize the threat before a police dog was deployed to bite and restrain the suspect [3].
Chief Tsutomu Sugawa of the Hikarigaoka Police Station oversaw the operation. The drill aimed to verify the exact steps required to secure a vehicle, and protect passengers, under realistic conditions [3]. Following the apprehension of the suspect, officers were heard shouting, "Secure! Secure!" [4].
While some reports indicated the use of explosive disposal robots, other accounts focused exclusively on the firearms and K9 intervention [5]. The location of the drill was also subject to conflicting reports, though official records from the Hikarigaoka Police Station place the event in Nerima Ward [2].
Sugawa said the goal is to strive for the securing of safety and peace of mind to create a town that does not tolerate terrorism [6].
“"Secure! Secure!"”
The emphasis on 'realistic scenarios' in public transit highlights a strategic shift by Tokyo authorities to prepare for 'lone wolf' or opportunistic attacks in high-density areas. By integrating K9 units with firearm protocols, the Metropolitan Police Department is refining a tiered force response designed to incapacitate suspects quickly in confined environments where traditional tactical entries are difficult.
