North Korea' s neighbor of Japan is growing more alarmed by Pyongyang' s advancing nuclear program, especially after a North Korean missile flew
North Korea’s neighbor of Japan is growing more alarmed by Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear program, especially after a North Korean missile flew over the Japanese island of Hokkaido last week. It’s led many residents to rethink the threat, even though they acknowledge they’re largely powerless in this high-stakes geopolitical tussle.
Millions of residents in northern Japan got an early morning wake-up call last Tuesday, with a government text message just after 6 a.m. with a message saying North Korea fired a missile that would pass through the skies.
« Missile alert, Missle alert, » the warning began. The official instructions that followed said to take cover underground or in a strong building.
Days later, in small towns in Hokkaido, the alert went off again as part of a municipally organized evacuation drill, so residents can feel more prepared should a missile fly by again.
Locals — mostly retirees — joined students at Maple Tree Elementary, where classes of children as young as 5 were guided by their teachers into the designated evacuation spot — the school gym.
« This was just a drill, » Principal Makoto Takahashi says. « You all did a good job. In the event of an actual missile situation, this would all happen quickly so make sure you stay calm and move to this location. »
Similar air raid practices are happening across this island nation as part of Japan’s civil defense.
