Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Holds 3rd CBRNE Counterterrorism Meeting

On August 24, 2026, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara held the third Meeting on Countermeasures Against CBRNE Terrorism at the Prime Minister's Office, where participants discussed efforts to date and the current situation, as well as future efforts.

CBRNE terrorism has different characteristics depending on the means used. Biological agents (B) and radioactive materials (R) may require a certain amount of time before damage becomes apparent, while explosives (E) may occur multiple times with delays, so relevant organizations must respond according to their characteristics.

If terrorism occurs, it causes serious damage to people's lives, physical safety, and property, and CBRNE terrorism is considered capable of harming the lives and physical safety of many people. The possibility that Japan could become a target was also indicated in light of terrorism and incidents targeting large-scale events.

The action plan establishes an expert panel to advise and make recommendations to the government when CBRNE terrorism occurs, and creates a new interministerial meeting to collect and analyze information on CBRNE threats that could be used in terrorism and technologies that could facilitate such terrorism. In addition, to avoid missing signs of terrorism, intelligence capabilities will be strengthened, and the aggregation and sharing of information will be promoted.

This plan is designated an interim compilation so that it can respond flexibly to advances in science and technology and changes in the international situation, and it will be reviewed as necessary. Implementation will be followed up regularly under the leadership of the National Crisis Management Office, and the results will be reported to this meeting. Relevant ministries and agencies are required to promptly execute the decisions and ensure their steady implementation.