Tokyo: A popular Hello Kitty-themed amusement park in Japan closed for the day on Saturday after receiving an “email threatening terrorism,” its operator said.

Sanrio Puroland, in Tokyo, is known for its rides, shows, and cutesy cartoon mascots, including the beloved feline-like heroine.

“We decided to temporarily close for the day because the safety of visitors, performers, and staff cannot be guaranteed at the moment,” the indoor theme park said in a message on its website.

“Today, Saturday, Feb. 24, we received an email threatening terrorism,” it added.

【サンリオピューロランド臨時休館のお知らせ】
本日、2024年2月24日(土)にテロ予告メールが届きました。
現時点でお客様、出演者および現場スタッフの安全を十分に確保できないため、本日は臨時休館といたします。
詳細はHPをご確認ください。https://t.co/sstVR8eHcH pic.twitter.com/yjjJrdTFeL

— ピューロランド【公式】 (@purolandjp) February 24, 2024

The unspecified threat prompted police to scour Sanrio Puroland for suspicious objects, but none were found, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Authorities were trying to identify the sender of the email, NHK added, citing unnamed police sources.

Tokyo-based Sanrio created the ubiquitous pink-bowed character Hello Kitty in 1974, and opened the Sanrio Puroland theme park in Tama City, Tokyo in 1990.

The threat against the popular tourist attraction and its closure sparked groans on social media, with one user annoyed it happened during a holiday weekend.

“It’s unforgivable that someone is doing this during a precious three-day weekend!” the user posted on X, formerly Twitter.

AFP