Note 1: Of imperial guard, those in charge of imperial escort.

### b. Inter-prefectural Coordination

RPBs provide guidance and coordination to the Prefectural Police regarding matters such as investigation of inter-prefectural offenses, cracking down on inter-prefectural organized crimes, highway inter-prefectural traffic regulations, and implementation of traffic crackdowns.

### c. Responses to Large-Scale Disasters

In the occurrence of large-scale disasters $ ^{1} $ and other incidents, RPBs collect and analyze disaster information as well as coordinate the dispatch of the mobile police info-communications units and Inter-prefectural Emergency Rescue Unit formed within each RPB.

### d. Police Info-Communications

The Info-Communications Department of the Regional Police Bureau and Info-Communication Department of Prefectural Police are handling the expansion and management of info-communications networks linking the NPA with the Prefectural Police. Also, a technical unit called the Cyber Force is set up in the Info-Communications Department of the Regional Police Bureau to carry out activities including prevention of cyber terrorism and the spread of damage.

Note 1: Earthquakes registering a magnitude 6-weak or over (5-strong or over within the 23 wards of Tokyo) or other major earthquakes

### e. Support of Investigation against Cyber Crime

In order to respond to cyber crimes, personnel from Info-Communications Departments are dispatched to the sites where Prefectural Police conduct activities including search and seizures and other investigations. They also support criminal investigations conducted by Prefectural Police by providing technical support including preventing destruction of magnetically recorded data in the recording media, confirming the settings and connection status of computers, and retrieving magnetically recorded evidence.

### f. Education and Training

Training at the time of promotion, specialized training, etc. are being conducted in Regional Police Schools, attached to Regional Police Bureaus, mainly for Prefectural Police personnel ranked Assistant Police Inspector and Police Sergeant.

## (2) Activities of Imperial Guard Headquarters

Imperial Guard Headquarters attached to the NPA carry out imperial escort for the Emperor and Imperial Family members, and security protection of the Imperial Palace and Imperial residences.

## 1 ) Imperial Escort for the Emperor and Members of the Imperial Family

In order to ensure the safety of the Emperor and members of the Imperial Family, security police in charge of imperial escort $ ^{1} $ carry out immediate security protection at all times in both Japan and abroad, not to mention the Imperial Palace and Imperial residences.

## 2 ) Security Protection of Imperial Palace and Imperial Residence

In order to ensure safety of the Imperial Palace, Akasaka Estate, Imperial Residence, each imperial residence, Old Imperial Palace, Shosoin, etc., security protection is being carried out at work places in Tokyo, Kyoto and four prefectures $ ^{2} $ .

Table 5-3 Major Events where Imperial Escort and Security Protection was Carried out in 2009

2 January	Visit of the Public to the Palace for New Year Greetings
10 April	Visit of the Public to the Palace for 50th Wedding Anniversary for the Emperor and the Empress
16 April	Spring Imperial Garden Party
11 May	Visit of the President of Singapore to the Palace
22 October	Autumn Imperial Garden Party
12 November	Visit of the Public to the Palace for the 20th Anniversary of the Emperor's Ascension to the Throne
14 November	Visit of the President of the United States to the Palace
23 December	Visit of the Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday

2: Tochigi Prefecture, Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kyoto and Nara Prefecture