Tokyo's Hello Kitty theme park closed for 'terrorist' security alert

Sanrio Co

24/02/2024 05:49

TOKYO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A theme park in Tokyo
featuring the Hello Kitty character closed on Saturday because
of an e-mailed "terrorist alert", the operator said.
    "We will be temporarily closed today as we are unable to
adequately ensure the safety of our customers, performers, and
on-site staff at this time," the Sanrio Puroland park said on
its website. 
    Hello Kitty, created Sanrio Co  8136.T  and celebrating its
50th anniversary this year, is one of Japan best known cartoon
characters. The mouthless cat-like figure, used to market
everything from plush toys to aircraft, has been deployed by
Japan's government to promote tourism and as an ambassador of
cute.
    Police, who investigated the theme park after it received
the emailed warning, did not find any suspicious objects, public
broadcaster NHK reported, without citing any source for its
information.   
    

 (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)
 ((tim.kelly@thomsonreuters.com; +813-6441-1311;))