Introduction(1/2)
Regarding the security environment surrounding Japan, although the danger of a full-scaleinvasion has decreased more than 10 years after the end of the Cold War, Japan is facing
urgent new threats to peace and security and diverse situations, including the proliferationof weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, as well as international terroristactivities.

Sept. 11, 2001; World Trade
Center buildings hit byhijacked airliners

March 11, 2004; Madridtrain bombings

July 7, 2005; London
subway bombings

In consideration of these situations and from the standpoint that the national governmentis inherently obliged to ensure the peace and independence of the nation and maintain thesafety of the nation and the people in armed attack against Japan from the outside, theLaw for Peace and Independence of Japan and Maintenance of the Nation and thePeople's Security in Armed Attack Situations etc. (Armed Attack Situation Response Law)
was enacted in June 2003. In June 2004, the Law concerning the Measures for Protectionof the People in Armed Attack Situations etc. (Civil Protection Law) was enacted to makethe whole nation fully prepared for these situations and to thereby implement appropriately
and promptly measures to protect the people in such situations, along with the Armed
Attack Situation Response Law.
Meanwhile, the "National Defense Program Guideline, FY2005-" was adopted at a cabinet
meeting in December 2004. The Guideline sets forth two objectives of Japan's security
policy;Preventing any threat from reaching Japan and, in the event that it does, repelling it
Improving the international security environment so as to reduce the chances thatany threat will reach Japan.
To this end, the Government of Japan will make diplomatic efforts to support United
Nations activities for international peace and security, and to promote cooperative
relationships with other countries and further develop its close cooperative relationshipwith the United States based on the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements. In this way, theGovernment will combine its own efforts and its cooperative efforts with Japan's alliancepartner and those with the international community in an integrated manner.
As to Japan's own efforts, the Government of Japan will utilize all appropriate means toprevent any threat from reaching the country. In the event that these efforts fail to preventa threat from reaching Japan, the Government of Japan will make an integrated response.
To this end, the Government will establish civil protection systems and promote mutual
cooperation between the central and local governments.

Introduction (2/2)
Against such background, the Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People, which set thebasic policy for implementation of measures to protect the people, was adopted at acabinet meeting in March 2005 with the aim of promoting appropriate and smooth
implementation of the Civil Protection Law. Based on the Basic Guidelines, Civil Protection
Plans of designated administrative agencies were developed in October 2005 and Civil
Protection Plans of all prefectural governments in March 2006. Municipal governments are
currently developing their Civil Protection Plans and designated public institutions aredeveloping their Civil Protection Business Plans.
Should an armed attack or terrorism etc. against Japan from the outside occur, theGovernment of Japan will address the situation in cooperation with prefectural andmunicipal governments etc. However, it is extremely difficult to anticipate when, where andhow such a situation would occur. The Cabinet Secretariat has prepared and released"For Protecting Ourselves from Armed Attack or Terrorism etc.," describing how the people
should act in such a situation and what things the people should prepare for such asituation on a routine basis.
What would you do if armed attack or terrorism etc. against Japan from the outside should
occur? It may be difficult for you to see such a situation as a real problem. However, webelieve that preparations for such a situation should be fully discussed in peacetime. "Civilprotection" is highly important and directly related to your lives and property. The
Government of Japan intends to make the whole nation fully prepared for such a situation.
We hope that you will further increase your understanding.