Kagoshima Drill To Evacuate Remote Island Residents
NHK has learned that Kagoshima Prefecture plans to hold evacuation drills simulating the evacuation of its remote islands in preparation for a possible armed attack. The practice, set for January, will be the first of its kind in the southwestern prefecture.
The move is in response to China's growing assertiveness in the East and South China Seas.
The Japanese government is boosting deployment of Japan Self-Defense Forces units to remote islands of the prefecture and of Okinawa Prefecture, also in southwestern Japan.
The scenario envisioned for the drill is a missile attack or invasion by a foreign country.
JSDF posts in the region could be targeted in an attack. At issue is how to evacuate residents of the remote islands, where transportation means are limited.
Prefectural officials say the civil protection law in armed attack situations supports the drills. Participants will practice coordinating information among relevant municipalities on evacuating Yakushima Island residents to mainland.
Associate Professor at the University of the Ryukyus Yamamoto Akiko, a security expert, said evacuating people from remote islands could be difficult as local administrative manpower is limited.
She noted that the central government should take the initiative and create evacuation plans and conduct drills not only in the prefecture, but also in the broader region of main island of Kyushu.