Japan prepares for air marshals

JAPANESE police are preparing to introduce sky marshals on some commercial flights as part of anti-terrorism measures, but no date has been fixed for the system to be put in place, reports Airwise. The United States said last December that it could deny entry to airlines that refuse to comply with a request to position armed undercover police on flights "where necessary". "Preparations are moving ahead, but no decision has been made on timing," said a National Police Agency spokesperson. Armed sky marshals will be placed on some Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA planes bound for the United States, the daily newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported recently. (Lucy Siebert)