Description:
In Japan, Riot Police Units have been operating some series of Armored Buses (警備車, Keibi-sha), mainly used as mobile shelters and barriers. And in addition to them, more heavily-armored vehicles called Special Armored Vehicles (特型警備車, Tokugata-keibi-sha) were introduced in the 1960s. The first deployed model was called Type F-3, based on Mitsubishi's cab-after-engine trucks. They were initially treated as idlers because there are only few reports of gun violence in Japan, but they were highly appreciated during the Asama-Sansō incident in 1972 and their significance were widely recognized.

After several model changes, Type PV-2 based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is now deployed nationwide, mainly for Anti-firearms squads. There are also simplified version called Special Armored Van (特型遊撃車, Tokugata-yūgeki-sha), and much larger Heavy Special Armored Vehicle (銃器対策警備車, Jūki-taisaku-keibi-sha); the latter is dedicated to the Special Assault Teams.

Coming Soon: Riot Police Bus