Special Higher Police

The censorship section of the Special Higher Police bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan PD.

The Special Higher Police (特別高等警察, Tokubetsu Kōtō Keisatsu), often abbreviated Tokkō (特高, Tokkō), was, from 1911 to 1945, a Japanese policing organization, established within the Home Ministry for the purpose of carrying out high policing, domestic criminal investigations, and control of political groups and ideologies deemed to threaten the public order of the Empire of Japan.[1] As the civilian counterpart to the military police forces of the Kenpeitai (army) and of the Tokkeitai (navy), the Tokkō's functions were criminal investigation and counter-espionage. The Tokubetsu Kōtō Keisatsu was also known by various nicknames such as the Peace Police (治安警察, Chian Keisatsu) and as the Thought Police (思想警察, Shisō Keisatsu).[2]

  1. ^ W. G. Beasley, The Rise of Modern Japan, p. 184, ISBN 0-312-04077-6.
  2. ^ Edwin P. Hoyt, Japan's War, p. 113. ISBN 0-07-030612-5.