The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced plans to build a missile shelter in an underground parking garage near Tokyo Station.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said the site of the shelter, a parking lot located below Yaesu Dori Avenue, which runs from Tokyo Station, was expected to be “highly effective” in protecting people.
The push to build more durable shelters comes amid North Korea’s ramped-up pace of ballistic missile tests and China’s growing arsenal of powerful weapons.
“This area was chosen because it is close to Tokyo Station — the gateway to the capital — and is an area where many people gather outdoors,” Koike told a news conference announcing the move Friday. “We selected it because the facility renovations are expected to be highly effective.”
The parking lot, with a total floor area of about 13,000 square meters, is located on the first and second basement levels beneath Yaesu-dori Avenue. Taking into account risks such as blast waves, debris and building collapse from ballistic missile attacks, Koike said special doors to protect those inside would be discussed going forward.
The Tokyo governor said detailed surveys for the renovations would begin this fiscal year.
Emphasizing the need for improved shelters, Koike pointed to North Korea’s launch of an apparent ballistic missile on Thursday.
“These repeated ballistic missile launches by North Korea pose an extremely serious and grave threat to Japan’s peace and security,” Koike said, adding that her administration “will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety and peace of mind of Tokyo residents.”
North Korea has in the past conducted training for striking U.S. military bases in Japan.
The shelter will be the second in the capital, after the renovation of a disaster supplies storage facility attached to Toei Subway’s Azabu-Juban Station.
