'Seek shelter!' Japan prepares for North Korean nuclear strike with nationwide TV warning
THE Japanese government has launched an alarming television broadcast urging its residents to familiarise themselves with what actions to take in the event of a North Korean missile attack.
The 30-second announcement beckons citizens to seek shelter in multi-storey buildings or underground, hide behind objects, lie face down on the floor or stay away from windows.
The announcement has fuelled fears that Kim Jong-un may soon launch a nuclear weapon after weeks of tests.
The initial damage would be the killing or injuring of people
The communist state is rumoured to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with its technology already sufficiently advanced to reach South Korea and Japan, both home to US military bases, according to reports.
During the broadcast, Japanese officials reportedly reassured its citizens that they will alerted via speakers across the country if Kim suddenly launches a weapon aimed at them, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The warning will be aired across 43 television stations until the early weeks of July, and written instructions will be published in 70 Japanese newspapers.
Japan holds evacuation drill ready for North Korea nuke strike
The city of Kawasaki has already published its own booklet advising locals on what to do in the event of a nuclear strike.
Titled ‘Protecting Yourselves from Armed Attacks and Terrorism’, it says citizens should "Evacuate indoors during the initial phase of the attack and then evacuate appropriately following the instructions given by administrative agencies."
The defence ministry also urges businesses to allow members of the public to "seek safety" within their buildings.
The guide goes on to explicitly outline the characteristics of a nuclear strike.
It says "the initial damage would be the killing or injuring of people and the destruction of buildings caused mainly by the heat wave and blast wave resulting from the nuclear explosions".
The announcement comes weeks after Japanese MPs demanded the development of more missile shelters and increased evacuation drills in fear of an imminent attack from North Korea.
The measures were outlined in a proposal submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shortly after North Korea’s crackpot dictator Kim Jong-un carried out more missile tests.
Last month, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile towards Japan, according South Korea’s military.
Kim Jong-un’s hermit nation launched the Scud missile from the eastern region of Wonsan, after a series of test-launches of missiles in recent weeks.