it's weird that they're all walking around with their nightsticks extended, ready for a fight. Funny and at the same time creepy.

well, I've seen G8 riots before and you'd need basically an army to stop that, so I don't blame them to actually prevent it

I mean for preventing it, instead of letting it go bananas like in Seattle or Genoa

it would be really unlikely for there to be a riot in Tokyo for an event happening in Hokkaido. The worst there was was a peaceful march.

it's a show of force, and it's uncomfortable to witness. I don't like the posturing and scare tactics Japan is using these days.

in Japan the police being overpowered and the sense of control is actually something they're mostly proud about

I'm not sure about this actually, in Europe they'd rather beat the hell out of people afterwards, and in Japan that is very unlikely

I agree, it's unlikely. But I also maintain it's unnecessary.