Japan police step up hunt for militants wanted since 1970s, and now in their 70s – ‘they may live near you’

Feb 15, 2022 | News On Japan

Feb 15, 2022 (scmp.com) - Tokyo police on Monday stepped up the hunt for members of the Japanese Red Army wanted for their alleged role in attacks in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing a video with images of the ageing militants that warned the “case” was not over yet.

The video follows the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Asama Sanso hostage crisis at a mountain lodge in central Japan, where two police officers were killed in a shoot-out.

“Japanese Red Army members are still on the run and they may live somewhere near you,” the video warns, adding the “case is not over yet”.

The video, produced by the police’s public security department, was released on social media and is playing on big-screen billboards in downtown Tokyo.

Authorities have also put up posters in train stations and other public locations. In addition to the wanted photos depicting the militants when they were younger, police added mock-ups of how they likely appear now they are in their 70s.

The Japanese Red Army, a violent ultra-leftist group that had links with Palestinian militants, was formed in 1971 and took responsibility for several international attacks, including the takeover of the US consulate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1975.

The group is also suspected of the deadly 1972 machine-gun and grenade assault on the international airport outside Tel Aviv, Israel.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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