Japan: Missile attack drill in Tokyo January 22

Event

An evacuation drill simulating a ballistic missile attack was held in Tokyo on Monday, January 22. The drill took place in the Bunkyo Ward, and affected the Tokyo Dome City Attractions amusement park, the Kasuga and Korakuen subway stations, and the Bunkyo Civic Center. The drill occurred at 10:00 (local time) and involved an announcement imitating a real emergency advisory. Some 350 people participated in the drill. Additionally, a small group demonstrating against the drill reportedly scuffled with police near the Bunkyo Ward. No major injuries or arrests were reported.

Similar missile attack drills and associated protests are possible nationwide in the coming weeks.

Context

Monday’s drill was the first missile attack drill carried out in Japan, and comes amid rising tensions in the region due to North Korea’s continuing development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. In September 2017, Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, following a series of similar tests in the preceding months. An increase in inflammatory rhetoric and threats (including between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un) in recent months have led to increased concerns over a potentially dangerous confrontation involving the volatile state. Japanese officials fear that if conflict were to break out on the Korean peninsula, Japan could be targeted by North Korean missiles. The missile attack drill has drawn criticism from Japanese society, with opponents claiming that the drills only increase fear among the general population. 

Emergency drills for natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis), are regularly organized by city governments in Japan.

Advice

Individuals in Japan are advised to monitor the situation and to adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.