Japan voters warned hand warmers may trigger detectors at campaign venues

TOKYO - Police warned Tuesday that disposable hand warmers, a common winter item in Japan containing iron powder, may trigger metal detectors at stump speeches for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election, urging attendees to present them separately to speed up baggage security checks.

The National Police Agency told prefectural police to assign female officers and asked organizers to allocate female staff, as stick-on warmers may require body checks.