TOKYO - The government is looking to create a new panel to advise on initial responses to terrorism involving chemical and biological weapons, after approving proposals in an interim report on Monday.
The report calls for a panel to assess potential damage and advise on countermeasures and steps to strengthen capabilities to gather intelligence on and respond to threats involving emerging technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence.
The measures target "CBRNE" terrorism, referring to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives.
While the government has drawn on lessons from the deadly 1995 nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway to bolster its response capabilities, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reorganized an existing panel in January to consider further measures amid concerns over advances in science and technology.
Speaking at the meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara instructed relevant ministries and agencies to "swiftly implement the adopted measures to ensure the public is protected from the devastation caused by terrorism."
