Public schools, kindergartens and other facilities run by the municipal government of Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, were closed Wednesday after an Internet post was found the previous night threatening to blow them up, NHK reported, citing local police and city officials.
According to the report, City Hall and community centers are also closed Wednesday in Kishiwada, a southern Osaka Prefecture city known for its annual Danjiri Festival. The only exception is a city-run hospital, the officials were quoted as saying.
Police are investigating an Internet message posted Tuesday night, in which an unknown person threatened to blow up schools, City Hall and other facilities some time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, NHK reported, citing police sources.
An Asahi Shimbun report meanwhile said the message claimed that 40,298 bombs had been planted.
Given the post, the Kishiwada Municipal Government decided to cancel Wednesday's classes at about 70 public schools and kindergartens as well as the operation of the City Hall, gymnastic halls and community centers, NHK said.
"We decided to place our top priority on the safety of our citizens. We are handling the matter in cooperation with police," a Kishiwada official was quoted as telling NHK.