ANITTERRORISM EXERCISE IN TOTTORI PREFECTURE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 007134 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM ENERG JA PARM SUBJECT: ANITTERRORISM EXERCISE IN TOTTORI PREFECTURE REF: TOKYO 06346 ¶1. SUMMARY: On November 26, 2006 in Tottori Prefecture, the central government conducted its fourth large-scale antiterrorism exercise in accordance with a Japanese law to protect citizens and assets in the event of a national emergency (reftel). Participating in the drill, were over 1,500 officials from the Self-Defense Force (SDF),the local police, fire department, medical field, and other wide-area assistance groups. As the sophistication of the government's approach to these drills gradually improves, so does the effectiveness and realism of the scenarios. The scenario involved an attack on a community center by armed North Korean agents using sarin gas, which was a first for this type of exercise. While the overall training went smoothly with a few minor shortcomings, the public was not highly supportive of the exercise. Some residents continue to believe it is implausible that a terrorist attack could occur on Japanese soil. On December 21, 2006, Tottori Prefecture along with other relevant organizations held an action review meeting regarding the field exercise and the results will be issued in a report in February 2007. END SUMMARY. About Tottori Prefecture -------------- ¶2. Tottori Prefecture is the least populous prefecture in Japan (2006 population, 603,994) mainly because it is an agricultural area with no major industry to sustain the economy. Tottori prefecture sits between Hyogo Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, with the closet nuclear power plant (NPP) in Shimane, which is approximately 90 minutes away by train or 17km. For this reason, Tottori Prefecture is not within the emergency planning zone (EPZ) priority range for disaster prevention measures in the vicinity of nuclear installations. In the case of NPPs, the EPZ target range is approximately 8-10km. However, Tottori Prefecture participates in an annual nuclear emergency drill with Shimane's NPP. In conversations with Mr. Shinichi Mizunaka, Manager of the Tottori Prefecture Disaster Prevention Office, Tottori's disaster prevention planning office participates in command and communication training exercises with the NPP to maintain harmonious relationships and to practice issuing and receiving situational updates using various telecommunication systems (i.e., radio networks, etc.). ¶3. Tottori Prefecture is the first prefectural government to draw up a civilian protection plan as stipulated by the central government. Some pundits point to the prefecture's close proximity to Korea, approximately 400km away, as to the motivation behind such immediate action. The 2001 North Korean ship that fired at a Japan Coast Guard vessel, injuring two officers, prompted Tottori Prefecture to begin developing a protection plan. By 2003, current Governor Yoshihiro Katayama (elected in 1999) took the lead in organizing a meeting with multiple agencies, such as prefectural emergency management offices, the SDF, the fire department, and police to explore the most effective emergency protective measures for its citizens. In an effort to broaden and strengthen the prefecture's protection plans, the Cabinet Secretariat requested Tottori to conduct a half-day map exercise in August 2006 based on an attack by unidentified armed agents spraying a chemical agent inside a crowded sports facility. The table-top exercise provided a forum to discuss appropriate response options before the practical field training was carried out in late November ¶2006. Details of the Drill -------------- ¶4. EST officer attended the November drill and noted that the overall planning and coordination of relief efforts went smoothly with the exception of minor behind-the-scenes hiccups. Comments below will highlight the overall scenario, including the major facilities used in the training, and the shortcomings identified. ¶5. MAJOR EXERCISE SITES: In the ground exercise, major facilities included, Tottori Prefectural Western District Office and Yonago City Hall set-up as the task force TOKYO 00007134 002 OF 003 headquarters, Tottori Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts used as the stage for the chemical attack by terrorists, and Yonago Municipal Health and Wealth Center established as a safe haven to provide food and medical care for slightly contaminated victims. In addition, NTT provided Disaster Messaging Service, which is available only at the time of a disaster. In response to the phone network congestion that followed the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, NTT designed a unique emergency voice mail service for family and friends to verify the safety of their loved ones in stricken areas. The victim can record a message via, a public, mobile, or private phone up to 30 seconds in length by dialing 171 1 (if registered with NTT) or 2 (if not registered) victim's home phone number. This voice mail is stored for up to 48 hours and offers a chance for family and friends living outside the affected area to make contact with those inside the disaster area through recorded messaging. For more information on this service, visit NTT West website: http://www.ntt-west.co.jp/info/saigai e/E81z171.html. ¶6. OVERALL SCENARIO: The exercise began at 9:35am, 5 minutes after a supposed chemical attack by North Korean agents at Tottori Prefectural Hall for Martial Arts where residents gathered for an event. The first to arrive were several fire trucks and personnel, the local police and the SDF. Most emergency personnel arrived on the scene wearing chemical protective gear, similar to a hazmat suit. At 10:00am, the medical team arrived and the evacuation and rescue operations began. Based on the scenario, 10 people were killed, 15 critically-wounded, 40 semi-severely wounded, and 153 suffered minor injuries. As victims were rescued they received emergency triage and walked through decontamination tents, which were set-up outside the building by the SDF and other medical personnel. By 10:15am, victims were transported to appropriate medical facilities. For example, critically-wounded patients were transported by ambulance to temporary medical facilities established at nearby bases. Victims with minor injuries received care inside Yonago Municipal Health and Wealth Center. Around 11:00am a siren sounded around the martial arts facility, and over 100 residents with assistance from local government officers were evacuated by bus and taken to the Kamo Elementary School. At 11:15am, decontamination activities were carried out. By 12:30pm, the actual field training concluded. However task force meetings continued until 4:00pm. ¶7. PRESS CONFERENCE: At the press conference held after the exercise, officials from the Cabinet Secretariat's Office seemed pleased with the overall results of the training. Tottori Prefecture's governor emphasized the strengths of the drill stating that, "the capabilities of each organization were demonstrated and mutual cooperation among each participating agency was observed." ¶8. A FEW FLAWS IDENTIFIED: According to Mr. Mizunaka, there was a network communication breakdown between the command post and the field personnel. In some instances, emergency respondents could not receive the command post's instructions or provide it with situational updates. This matter is being investigated by the action review committee. Secondly, although emergency personnel promptly arrived on the scene with proper gear and equipment, some of the decontamination tents took a noticeable amount of time to properly inflate. Lastly, some prefectural staff members admit that the warning siren was barely audible and those participating in the drill did not hear it. It appears that the local government made a decision to greatly reduce the volume of the siren in an effort not to disturb non-participating residents. Next Steps -------------- ¶9. The central government will continue to organize joint civil protection activities with local governments. The next map exercises will take place on February 2, 2007 in Saga Prefecture and February 7, 2007 in Ehime Prefecture. Plans for practical training exercises will be announced at a later date. For more information on civil protection drills, visit Cabinet Secretariat Civil Protection Portal Site: http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/pc-index e.html. TOKYO 00007134 003 OF 003 Comment -------------- ¶10. This exercise marked a number of firsts. It was the first scenario that involved an attack from North Korea. The drill also marked the first time civilian causalities were included in a scenario, reflecting growing concerns over possible North Korean aggression. Furthermore, this was the first drill in which the government did not share the scenario with participants beforehand, perhaps because of top officials' criticism of past exercises. DONOVAN