The recent war in Ukraine has revealed several things. One is that preparations against nuclear threats have become a reality. This raises the challenge of how to develop deterrence—the so-called “weakness’s defense”—at a low cost. NBC weapons are weapons that should never be used. Weapons using three types of materials—nuclear, biological, and chemical—possess the capacity for mass killing and destruction. Possessing these weapons allows for retaliation if attacked. Manufacturing nuclear weapons is an extremely expensive undertaking. Maintaining them also requires considerable expense and personnel. On the other hand, chemical weapons such as sarin can be produced at a fraction of the cost of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, biological weapons can be produced at 1/600th the cost of chemical weapons.
There is a tragic history of using bacteria and viruses in warfare. For example, the Mongol army invaded Europe in 1346-47. The Mongol army was struggling at the fortress of Kaffa (Crimea). The attackers devised a tactic: to launch plague-infected corpses into the fortress using catapults. Knowing the horrors of the plague, the defending soldiers abandoned the fortress and fled. Then, a modern tragedy occurred. In March 1995, the cult Aum Shinrikyo released nerve gas in the Tokyo subway, killing and injuring civilians. Investigations following the Tokyo subway sarin attack revealed that Aum Shinrikyo had been conducting biological weapons experiments. These experiments involved the use of botulinum toxin and anthrax. This implies that biological substances such as pathogens and toxins can now be easily produced not only by military personnel but also by civilian organizations.
Japan has experienced all aspects of NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) weapons of mass destruction. One example is the atomic bombing in August 1945. Next is the Tokyo subway sarin attack in March 1995. And now we have the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern nations must be prepared to deal with attacks against these weapons. In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, an infectious disease expert (an official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) contracted the virus on the Diamond. The Self-Defense Forces’ excellent response in that situation demonstrated one aspect of preparedness. It has also been reported that the Self-Defense Forces provided support to the police regarding chemical protection equipment during the Tokyo subway sarin attack. The development of weapons will never cease as long as the balance between shield and spear continues. The current war in Ukraine has continued for four years. During that time, not only have weapons advanced, but the public’s awareness of defense has also increased in many ways. We should strive to improve our knowledge and skills to protect ourselves, just as we do our preparedness for natural disasters.
