Japan Holds Nationwide J-Alert Drill

November 14, 2017

Tokyo- Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency on Tuesday morning conducted a nationwide drill using the J-Alert early warning system, in preparation for emergency situations including North Korean missile launches and natural disasters.

This marked the first national J-Alert drill since the system was used to convey information to municipalities in eastern Japan when the reclusive state launched ballistic missiles this summer. Such a drill is held every year around November.

In the day's drill, the agency aired a test message via municipalities' disaster radio systems.

Some local governments had problems relaying central government warnings to residents when North Korea fired ballistic missiles over Japan's Hokkaido in August and September.

In response, the agency has held explanatory meetings for local governments and asked them to check whether related equipment works properly. Jiji Press