Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department will set up an antiterrorism section in October, police officials said Tuesday.
The section will be staffed with 70 officers and is to be created under the Public Security Division. It will work to prevent terrorist acts in Japan by coordinating efforts with intelligence agencies in North America, Europe and Asia, the officials said.
It will cooperate with immigration authorities in a bid to prevent terrorists from entering the country, the officials said.
The police currently work to prevent terrorist acts -- primarily targeting Islamic militants -- through an investigative team within the Public Security Division.
The Public Security Division has two other sections, one focusing on China and North Korea, and another dealing with espionage in Russia and Middle Eastern countries as well as illegal exports of strategic materials.
Antiterrorism units have already been set up at the Osaka and Kanagawa prefectural police departments.