Who protects Japan's Prime Minister?
The Japanese Prime Minister is protected by Security Police (SP)
The Security Police is the close protection division
of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD)
The division is responsible for protecting security of Japan's prime minister
The division's officers are commonly known as Security Police (SP)
セキュリティポリス, Sekyuritī Porisu
The word "SP" is a loanword used in the Japanese law enforcement system
based on the badge attached on the officer's suit
Section 1 of the SP is mandated to provide close protection duties
for former and current Japan's Prime Minister
While section 2 to section 4 are responsible
for protecting other domestic and foreign VIPs
Immediate family members of the Prime Minister
do not have a permanent security detail
as they only receive protection during official duties
or if they are with the Prime Minister
The Security Police was established on 13 September 1975
after the Prime Minister Takeo Miki was attacked publicly
by the Greater Japan Patriotic Party Secretary General
Hiroyoshi Fudeyasu 3 months before
and than the National Police Agency ordered the formation of the division
The division does not protect the Imperial Family
which has its own dedicated division the Imperial Protection Division
The division protects the Prime Minister only if he is outside or abroad
while the Prime Minister's Official Residence Guard
covers security when he is inside the official residence
SP officers start out as an ordinary police officer
and must serve in the police for five years
and have the rank of Sergeant in order to be a candidate
Moreover, candidates are required
to be more than 5 feet 8 inches tall or 173 cm for male candidates
achieve at least a third "DAN" in at least one martial art
and have a high level of marksmanship
Both male and female police officers can qualify for joining the division
The SP Officers are mostly armed with handguns
and expandable batons during their duties
A mini flashlight and a transceiver is also in their list of equipment
Sometimes they used unmarked cars for transport and escort
They have used Mercedes-Benz S600
Toyota Crown, Nissan Teana, Nissan Elgrand, and Toyota HiAce
They carry mostly the NPA-issued Smith & Wesson Model 37 revolver
or the SIG P230 semi-automatic pistol
Officers can also be seen armed with pistols such as the Beretta 92
Glock 17 or Heckler & Koch P2000