The government approved a basic policy at a Cabinet meeting on March 31st aimed at securing shelters for residents in the event of armed attacks, with a focus on promoting the use of private underground facilities such as shopping malls and parking areas, which are considered to offer high levels of safety.
Former Ito mayor Maki Takubo was indicted while remaining out of custody over an academic credentials fraud scandal in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito and two others who had been criminally accused of violating the Local Public Service Act over the leak of private information belonging to a former prefectural bureau chief, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on March 26 via social media that public safety conditions in Japan are unstable, claiming that crimes targeting Chinese nationals have been occurring frequently, as tensions rise following an incident involving a member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force.
Japan began releasing its national oil reserves for the first time in about four years in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, as concerns grow over potential supply shortages following disruptions in tanker traffic.
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Japan to "step up" its role in addressing tensions in the Middle East during a Japan-U.S. summit held on March 19th, as Iran’s ambassador to Japan also expressed expectations for Tokyo to play a constructive diplomatic role, placing renewed focus on Japan’s unique position between the two sides.
The Japanese government on March 24th approved a bill to revise the drone regulation law, expanding no-fly zones to roughly a 1-kilometer radius around key facilities and strengthening penalties in response to growing security risks.
One of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released and returned to Japan on March 22nd, while diplomatic efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining individual.