The Tokyo Metropolitan Government held a drill Monday involving about 170 people based on the assumption that the capital was under attack by terrorists unleashing the smallpox virus on the subway system.
The scenario, which was not explained to participants beforehand, had a public health office reporting eight people with smallpox following an apparent terror attack. City leaders held an emergency meeting, tried to determine the facts and isolated victims to prevent the virus from spreading.
Officials, firefighters and rescue workers were evaluated on their reaction. Cooperation among relevant metropolitan departments and agencies was also assessed.
After analyzing their performance, the metropolitan government will compile a manual for measures against terrorism involving nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons.
Tokyo has been making efforts to come up with ways to handle NBC terrorism, especially after the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system by Aum Shinrikyo.
Last month, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network warned that Japanese would be targeted in attacks if Japan sends troops to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq.
