DefenseMunicipalities struggle to find suitable sites with nationwide coverage at 5%Long-range missiles were deployed to a Ground Self-Defense Force base in the city of Kumamoto in late March. (Photo by Kosuke Kondo)Nikkei staff writersMay 22, 2026 02:15 JSTKUMAMOTO, Japan/TOKYO -- Local governments in Japan are having difficulty providing enough underground shelters for residents, including around such facilities as Self-Defense Forces bases and nuclear power plants, with only 5% of the population nationwide covered.
Japan lacks enough underground shelters to withstand missile attacks
Municipalities struggle to find suitable sites with nationwide coverage at 5%
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