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400 Cases of White Powder Reported in Japan in 10 Days
Japan's police have received reports of some 400 cases in which white powder has been discovered across the country during the last 10 days up to Tuesday, following anthrax cases in the United States, Kyodo News reported.
However, there have been no cases in which bacteria or toxic substances have been detected, and about 50 cases were found to be pranks involving starch, baby powder and spices, the report said, quoting the National Police Agency (NPA).
More than half the cases reported since October 13 involved mail received directly through the post and there were also cases in which the recipient mistook cosmetic powder for a suspicious substance, the NPA said.
In line with the reports, there has been an increase in the number of times investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Osaka prefectural police's terrorist unit probing cases involving biological and chemical weapons has been mobilized.
About 120 cases were reported in Tokyo, including one in which an envelope containing starch powder was sent to the prime minister's official residence. Investigators from the MPD's team dealing with terrorist cases have been mobilized 70 times, the NPA said.
On Tuesday, police and railway officials said white powder had been found at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, and on two bullet trains.
In Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, the police said they found ingredients used in bath salts from white powder sent in an envelope to the U.S. Consulate General in the Osaka-Kobe area last week.
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