Top Security Prep Carried Out for Zelenskyy’s Visit to Hiroshima

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:59 JST, May 21, 2023

Japanese authorities prepared security for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Hiroshima in strict secrecy after they were informed by the Foreign Ministry about the possibility of his trip to Japan.

A reserve unit responsible for handling sudden visits by dignitaries and other similar situations is said to be in charge of Zelenskyy’s security.

According to senior officials of the National Police Agency, the Foreign Ministry had informed police authorities by Friday about his visit.

It is extremely unusual for a leader of a country at war to visit Japan during a summit, and the authorities began considering the implementation of security measures to prepare for any contingencies.

However, Zelenskyy’s movements are internationally sensitive information. Therefore, information was shared with only a very limited number of NPA senior officials and the Hiroshima prefectural police to prevent any leaks at all costs.

The authorities initiated full-scale preparations for the president’s security after the government officially announced his visit to Japan on Saturday morning, the NPA senior officials said.

The reserve unit is deployed in case of a last-minute decision to visit Japan or a sudden increase in the number of destinations to be visited by dignitaries. The unit had been originally included as part of the 24,000 security personnel deployed for the summit.

“We are carrying out thorough security measures and remaining highly vigilant,” a senior NPA official said.