Civil Defense in Japan: Issues and Challenges

Japan established a system to protect citizens against military attacks and terrorism in 2004, following the Tokyo subway attack (1995), the 9/11 terrorist attacks (2001), and the changing security environment in East Asia. The Japanese government was forced to implement the most extensive reform of its domestic crisis management system in the postwar era. This book examines the institutions and policies of civil protection and analyzes their effectiveness and issues, as well as the trade-offs resulting from the coexistence of two independent institutions: civil protection and natural disaster management.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

After World War II, Japan established a system to safeguard its citizens against military attacks and terrorism for the first time in 2004. The Japanese government was compelled to implement the most extensive reform of its domestic crisis management [kiki-kanri] system in the postwar era in response to the Tokyo subway attack (1995), the 9/11 terrorist attacks (2001), and the changing security environment in East Asia.

The civil defense system in Japan is now known as civil protection [kokumin-hogo]. National institutions based on civil defense were developed in Western democratic countries (including the United States and Canada) as a result of two world wars in the 20th century. Most countries have since adopted a comprehensive crisis (or emergency) management system that integrates civil defense and disaster management (against natural and technological hazards). However, Japan continues to take a different path.

Why has a comprehensive crisis management system yet to be formed in Japan? How do complex and fragmented institutions work? This book examines the institutions and policies of civil protection (i.e., Japan's civil defense) and further analyzes their effectiveness and issues. Furthermore, it also examines the trade-offs resulting from the coexistence of two independent institutions: civil protection and natural disaster management.

A valuable read for scholars of Japan's public administration and security/defense policy, as well as for those researching and comparing disaster-preparedness across countries.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032489544