The city of Oga in Akita Prefecture has held Japan’s first-ever North Korea missile strike evacuation drill.
As reported by Japan Times, the city held the drill for local residents in preparation for a scenario in which Pyongyang fires ballistic missiles into the waters close to the city.
Oga is situated on in the north of Japan and faces the Sea of Japan.
The drill, held on Friday, was conducted less than two weeks after three North Korean missiles landed in the Sea of Japan. Four ballistic missiles were launched on 6 March by North Korea with three landing in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Tokyo claims that one missile fell into the Sea of Japan – 200km off the Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Peninsula.
Hosted by prefectural and city governments, the drill was designed to relay information swiftly whilst facilitating an efficient and safe evacuation.
110 residents and other participants from the district of Oga were evacuated to a public hall and elementary school.
Emergency information was relayed from the central government to the local municipalities through J-Alert emergency advisory. The city’s wireless system was then used to broadcast information via loudspeakers. Those who had registered ahead of time for information were able receive it through their smartphones and other gadgets.
The exercise marks the first time residents have taken part in an actual evacuation drill.
During the drill, 44 students at a local elementary school were rushed to its gymnasium following the broadcast.
