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Japan shields health officials after ministry murder
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-20 09:37

Guards use metal detectors to search people entering the Health Ministry in Tokyo November 19, 2008. Japan's top health ministry and public pension officials were being warned about their personal safety after the suspected murder of a former vice minister and a stabbing at the home of another on Tuesday, the ministry said. [Agencies]

Bloody Footprints

Security was also tightened at the ministry, where metal-detecting wands were being used to check visitors.

"It is not yet clear if the two incidents are linked, but police are investigating this with the possibility that these were related terrorist attacks," top government spokesman Takeo Kawamura told a news conference.

Kyodo news agency said police were checking to see whether bloody footprints at the sites of the two attacks matched.

Japanese policy makers are struggling to revamp strained pension and social welfare systems and find ways to fund the growing costs of one of the world's fastest ageing populations.

Two out of every five people are forecast to be aged 65 or over by 2050, twice the current proportion.

A series of scandals involving mishandled and doctored pensions records has added to public outrage and anxiety.

"We know there is deep angst. Every poll tells you the overwhelming worry is about retirement and the messed up pension system," said Jesper Koll, CEO of investment consultancy Tantallon Research Japan.