Glossary

A

Armed Attack (buryoku-kogeki)

Any armed attack against Japan from the outside

Armed Attack Situations (bryoku-kogeki-jitai)

Situations where an armed attack has occurred or where there is a clear and imminent risk of an armed attack against the country

Armed Attack Situation Response Law (buryoku-kogeki-jitai-taisho-ho)

The law is formally called “the Law for the Peace and Independence of Japan and Maintenance of the Nation and the People’s Security in Armed Attack Situations etc.” It was enacted on June 6, 2003 and enforced on June 13, 2003. It aims to establish a plan for responding to armed attack situations etc. (armed attack situations and situations where an armed attack is anticipated) and legislation required for responding to armed attack situations etc. by prescribing basic matters regarding responses to such situations, including fundamental principles, responsibilities of the national government and local governments and cooperation from the people.

B

Basic Response Plan (taisho-kihon-hoshin)

A basic plan formulated by the national government regarding responses to armed attack situations etc. in case of armed attack situations etc.

C

Civil Protection Business Plan (kokumin-hogo-gyomu-keikaku)

Plans to be formulated by designated public institutions based on the Basic Guidelines and by designated local public institutions based on the Civil Protection Plans of prefectural governments. A Civil Protection Business Plan provides matters related to contents and methods of civil protection measures implemented, matters related to organization to implement civil protection measures, and matters related to collaboration with relevant organizations. When Civil Protection Business Plans are formulated, the designated public institution shall promptly report it to the Prime Minister and the designated local public institutions shall promptly report it to the prefectural governor.

Civil Protection Law (kokumin-hogo-ho)

The Civil Protection Law is formally called “the Law concerning the Measures for Protection of the People in Armed Attack Situations etc.” It was enacted on June 14, 2004 and enforced on September 17, 2004. It stipulates the responsibilities of the national and local governments and measures, such as evacuation of residents, relief of evacuated residents, response to armed attack disaster, and other necessary matters related to civil protection measures etc. in order to protect the lives, bodies, and property of the people from armed attacks. It also stipulates the Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People established by the Government of Japan in advance in preparation of armed attack situations etc., the Civil Protection Plans prepared by local governments, the Civil Protection Councils established by local governments to deliberate on the plans, and the Civil Protection Business Plans prepared by designated public institutions and designated local public institutions.

Civil Protection Plan (kokumin-hogo-keikaku)

Civil Protection Plans are prepared by local governments and designated administrative agencies based on the Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People established by the Government of Japan. They stipulate systems to implement civil protection measures, matters related to evacuation and relief of residents, and matters concerning supplies and exercises etc. that should be prepared in peacetime. When preparing or changing the civil protection plans of local governments, consultation must be made with Civil Protection Councils composed of representatives etc. of relevant institutions and must be discussed with the Prime Minister in the case of prefectural governments and designated administrative agencies and with prefectural governors in the case of municipal governments.

D

Designated Administrative Agency (shitei-gyosei-kikan)

The following institutions are designated administrative agencies: Cabinet Office, National Public Safety Commission, National Police Agency, Defense Agency, Defense Facilities Administration Agency, Financial Services Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Justice, Public Security Investigation Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, National Tax Administration Agency, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Cultural Affairs Agency, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Forestry Agency, Fisheries Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Natural Resources and Energy Agency, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Geographical Survey Institute, Meteorological Agency, Japan Coast Guard, and Ministry of the Environment.

Designated Local Public Institution (shitei-chiho-kokyo-kikan)

Corporations providing electricity, gas, transportation, telecommunications, medical services, or other public utilities within a prefecture, local public road corporations and corporations and independent local administrative corporations administering other public facilities. The governors of the said prefectures shall designate them as such after hearing opinions from the said corporations.

Designated Public Institution (shitei-kokyo-kikan)

Independent administrative institutions, Bank of Japan, Japanese Red Cross Society, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and other public institutions as well as incorporated entities engaging in electricity, gas, transportation, telecommunication, and other public services, as provided by a Cabinet Order and publicized by the Prime Minister.

E

Emergency Response Situation (kinkyu-taisho-jitai)

Situation that requires the national government to take urgent measures for incidents in which many people are killed or injured by means such as armed attack or situations in which people face a clear danger of such situations occurring

L

Life-Related Facilities (seikatsu-kanren-tou-shisetsu)

Facilities related to people's livelihoods, such as electric power plants, water purification facilities, and hazardous material storage facilities, and deemed to have a significant impact on people's livelihoods unless their safety is secured or facilities that are deemed to cause significant damage to their surrounding areas unless their safety is secured

N

NBC

Nuclear, Biological and Chemical

S

Situations where armed attacks are anticipated (buryoku-kogeki-yosoku-jitai)

Refers to tense situations where an armed attack against the country has not yet occurred but is anticipated. Under the Armed Attack Situation Response Law, armed attack situations and situations where an armed attack is anticipated are defined collectively as “Armed Attack Situations etc.”

V

Voluntary Disaster Management Organization (jishu-bousai-soshiki)

Voluntary organizations formed by residents for the purpose of effectively performing activities to prevent and alleviate damage caused by large-scale disasters in the spirit of “protecting one's town by oneself.”