First they got portable high-pressure water guns, shields made of special plastic and the hi-tech 'Spiderman' gun which shoots a reinforced nylon net that can trap two or three people at a time. Then they brushed up their martial arts training, conducting drills with officers playing the role of unruly fans.
Now, in the latest move to control hooliganism at the World Cup, Japanese police have been issued 1,370 automatic rifles.
Critics say the move is an overreaction as the rifles are unsuited to crowd control.
In the bustling Tokyo entertainment district of Roppongi, it seems policemen will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between bona fide fans and hooligans.
Some officers apparently believe hooligans are most easily identified by their 'inappropriate' dress.
Police are also stoking fear among residents in Sapporo, northern Japan, by showing them graphic videos of what they claim are hooligan activities.