Confusion gripped US naval base in Japan on reports of gunfire, brief lockdown

Confusion and fear gripped US military base in southern Japan, which then went into a brief lockdown on Thursday morning following reports of gunshots, but declared "all clear" after finding no evidence that shots were fired.

"On November 3, 2016, at 9:33 am (0603 IST) security received a report of gunshots heard inside building 141... The building was evacuated," said Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo in Japan in a Facebook post.

"THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!" the post said. "All clear, lockdown has been lifted. No evidence of shots fired or an active shooter," it said shortly afterwards, adding that no injuries had been reported.

Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo is an American naval base for logistics located in the southwestern Japanese city of Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture.

Sasebo is located some 950 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.Confusion and fear gripped US military base in southern Japan, which then went into a brief lockdown on Thursday morning following reports of gunshots, but declared "all clear" after finding no evidence that shots were fired.

"On November 3, 2016, at 9:33 am (0603 IST) security received a report of gunshots heard inside building 141... The building was evacuated," said Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo in Japan in a Facebook post.

"THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!" the post said. "All clear, lockdown has been lifted. No evidence of shots fired or an active shooter," it said shortly afterwards, adding that no injuries had been reported.

Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo is an American naval base for logistics located in the southwestern Japanese city of Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture.

Sasebo is located some 950 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.