AKITA -- North Korea's March 6 launch of four ballistic missiles, three of which landed inside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, has sparked fury and anxiety among residents of Akita Prefecture and surrounding areas.
"We simply don't know when or where the missiles will land," says Kazuhiro Asai, head of the Kitaura branch of the Fisheries Cooperative Association of Akita. "Recently, both the frequency and the number of missiles launched has increased, and this has caused an increased sense of fear among association members."
A missile evacuation drill is set to take place in the city of Oga in Akita Prefecture on March 17. It will simulate missiles landing off the coast of Akita in the Sea of Japan. The head of one evacuation site, Kiyokazu Hatakeyama of Kitaura Community Hall expresses his general concern. "The city of Oga is renowned for the 'Namahage' ogre and other attractions. However, with the threat of missiles, I am concerned that the number of tourists coming here will decline in the future."
Akita Gov. Norihisa Satake refrained from immediately commenting on the missile launch, saying the prefecture was still in the process of collecting detailed information. However, he blasted North Korea's action as "outrageous."
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