YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) With helicopters buzzing overhead, more than 1,000 riot police from around Japan put on a spirited demonstration of their skills Wednesday at the stadium where the World Cup final will be held.

The well-rehearsed drill features police practicing everything from hooligan control to bomb disposal.

The exercise at Yokohama International Stadium just south of Tokyo was the largest to date. It provided police a chance to show off their capabilities in preparation for the final, which will be held June 30.

Japan and South Korea are co-hosts of the World Cup. The opening game will be in Seoul, South Korea, and the final in Yokohama.

This will be the first World Cup held in Asia. Concerns have been expressed over the threat of terrorism following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and over the possibility of hooligans flooding in from abroad.

Though Japanese police have little experience with hooliganism, which is not a problem at soccer games in this country, they demonstrated several techniques in crowd control Wednesday. They used long metal hooks and martial arts to subdue officers playing the role of angry fans.

Wearing new, lightweight riot gear, they also brought out water cannons to control a mob of fire-setting, motorcycle-driving fans - also played by fellow police. The demonstration was realistic enough to prompt a crowd of concerned local residents to gather nearby.

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