Nara Prefectural Police headquarters (Mainichi/Narumi Nakatsu)

       NARA -- Five live bullets have apparently disappeared from a gun locker at a police station in this west Japan city, Nara Prefectural Police announced on Jan. 7.

       According to the prefectural police's Facility Equipment Division, an officer noticed during a Jan. 7 inspection that the number of bullets in storage at the Nara Nishi Police Station fell short of what should have been there considering the number of the station's service revolvers. The prefectural police are investigating the circumstances behind the missing bullets.

       The gun and bullet numbers had matched during the previous inspection conducted in February 2021. However, there have since been personnel changes and other events, leaving it unclear when and why the five bullets went missing.

       The gun locker is normally locked, and the key is managed by a designated officer. Police said a witnessing officer must be present when someone enters the locker.

       (Japanese original by Yuhi Yoshikawa, Nara Bureau)

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