Nearly 2,000 Japanese riot police marched early this morning (Thursday) in central Tokyo.

Special-purpose vehicles and police dogs joined the parade.

The Tokyo Riot Police was created in May 1948.

In addition to day-to-day security, officers mobilized for multiple natural disasters last year.

16,000 officers were also on duty for US President Barack Obama's visit to Japan in April.

Riot police have a new counterterrorism unit to protect Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, which has boosted international flights.

Tokyo police commissioner Naoyoshi Takatsuna told members to make Tokyo the safest city in the world for the 2016 G8 Summit and 2020 Olympics.