Where do you hide when the sky is falling?
Japan wants is citizens to have the answer ready.
With North Korea frequently testing missiles, Japan is at risk. Japan is holding drills so people will know where to find shelter.
That is why the government is sponsoring missile-attack drills.
“In a real situation, there will be no designated shelter to hide in, so people need to think about where to evacuate to depending on their situation,’ explained Takashi Ito, Cabinet Counselor, Situation Response and Crisis Management.
“In that sense, today’s drill was a good opportunity for residents to think about where to evacuate under those situations.”
Japan doesn’t have air-raid shelters. People have to find their own safe havens. During a drill in Tsubame City, people huddled under bridges, or sought out sturdy buildings. For cities with subways, those would be an obvious answer, but how many cities have subways?
We need to be prepared for any emergency and every day, think of what to do based on this kind of drill,” said 73-year-old Tsubame City resident, Nobuyoshi Kanezuka.
“It (the drill) was a good chance for me to figure out how to evacuate without a shelter nearby, and how to protect myself.”
Many people had never considered the possibility of a North Korean missile attack. But the possibility is there.
“I didn’t have any sense of emergency and interest at first—I’d assumed we’re safe here,” said 67-year-old Tsubame City resident, Kikue Abe.
“I think this drill helped raise my awareness of the issue.”
