OSAKA -- Osaka prefectural police are stepping up antiterror measures ahead of the meeting of the Group of 20 major economies to be held later this month in Osaka, with specialized police dogs being deployed at local airports and other major facilities.
The prefectural police started training the dogs in July last year to prepare for the G20 meeting, which will be held on June 28 and 29.
The dogs have been trained to sniff out explosive substances and subdue suspicious individuals.
The dogs were first deployed in April at the Japan Mint in Osaka when the facility, which is known for its cherry blossom trees, was opened to the public.
For the G20 meeting, the prefectural police's two German shepherds that have undergone specialized training and other police dogs will be deployed at Kansai and Itami airports and major stations, among other facilities.
"We hope that the dogs will help to prevent a terrorist attack and make local residents feel secure," a prefectural police officer said.
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