Marking the anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake on Friday, municipalities nationwide and companies used the opportunity not only to test their preparedness for disasters but also to raise public awareness about a variety of threats including typhoons, floods and a potential North Korean missile attack.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, at a news conference the same day, used the occasion to reassure Tokyoites the government is enhancing its safety measures, noting the missile threat is of particular concern.
"Especially in the case of North Korea, we can't predict its actions," she said, calling for a greater awareness of such possibilities.