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MOBILE TASK FORCES OF JAPAN - THE KIDOTAI

NCJ Number
16809
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 38 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1971) Pages: 65-73
Author(s)
R Y THORNTON
Date Published
1971
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE KIDOTAI, RIOT POLICE OF JAPAN, HAVE DEVELOPED EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES THAT PERMIT THEM TO GO UNARMED, EXCEPT FOR BATONS, INTO HOSTILE CROWDS, AND PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM PERSONAL INJURY WHILE QUELLING THE RIOT.
Abstract
THEY USE BODY SHIELDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROTECTIVE FORMATIONS TO WARD OFF PROJECTILES. TWENTY-FIVE TYPES OF SPECIAL VEHICLES WERE DESIGNED FOR THE 10,000 MAN FORCE WHOSE JURISDICTION ENCOMPASSES ALL OF JAPAN, WHERE CIVIL DISTURBANCES AND RIOTS HAVE BEEN A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM THAN IN THIS COUNTRY. ANTIRIOT FORMATIONS AND PARADE CONTROL TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN USED SO EFFECTIVELY AGAINST URBAN GUERRILLA GROUPS THAT IN EVERY CONFRONTATION THE POLICE HAVE EMERGED THE VICTORS. OTHER FACETS OF THE KIDOTAI ORGANIZATION ARE ALSO PRESENTED.