When Mie Niwayama became a police officer 32 years ago, most women were assigned to the traffic section after graduating from the academy.
But times have changed, and in April, Niwayama, 51, became the first woman to head a riot police unit, consisting of three all-male squads.
The promotion is particularly noteworthy because the riot police still have an image of an all-male, helmeted and baton-wielding force.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, which has 43,000 officers, is trying to change that impression. – READ MORE
