Security beefed up after fatal attacks

Japan beefed up security at the health ministry and urged top officials to take extra caution yesterday after the murders of a former vice-health minister and his wife, and a stabbing of another former bureaucrat's wife.

Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe called the attacks "despicable acts" and said the ministry had asked police to guard current and former officials in the wake of the dual attacks. The motive for the attacks was unclear.

The ministry set up metal detectors to screen visitors and deployed more policemen around the building. "We are extremely worried. We don't know why they were targeted like this," said ministry spokesman Akihiko Ito.