Japan plans new advisory panel to tackle chemical and biological terror threats

Following approval of an interim report, Japan's government is set to form a new advisory panel focused on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives terrorism. The group will assess likely impacts, recommend mitigation steps, and enhance intelligence and response measures for modern threats, including drones and artificial intelligence. The move builds on lessons from the 1995 Tokyo subway nerve-gas attack and follows a January reorganization of an existing panel by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration.

At a meeting in the prime minister's office, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara instructed relevant ministries and agencies to implement the recommendations swiftly. The aim is to strengthen national preparedness and safeguard citizens from the devastation of such attacks.