Rocket launchers fired near US base in Tokyo

Two improvised rocket launchers have been fired outside a US military base near the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police said the incident took place at 11:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, when flying objects were launched near the US Yokota airbase.

“Several reports were made by neighbors that they had heard explosions at about 11:30 p.m. Police discovered two steel pipes, two wires, batteries, and so forth,” said a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesman.

Reports by local media said that the pipes were stuck in the ground near the base, positioned towards it.

There have been no immediate reports on possible casualties or damage.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident, but police say it might have been carried out by extreme leftists.

Police have investigations on a hard leftist group named the Revolutionary Laborers’ Association Anti-Majority Faction, since the incident came shortly after they arrested a senior member of the group on Thursday, broadcaster NTV reported.

The broadcaster added that a similar incident happened four years ago and police raided hideouts of the same leftists.

Nearly 50,000 US service personnel and their families are present in Japan as Tokyo and Washington have a mutual defense agreement.