Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters

Japan is set to double the number of bomb shelters it has. (Image: Getty)

Japan has announced plans to double the number of its underground bomb shelters strong enough to protect its citizens from missile attacks as fears of WW3 continue to come to the boil.

The decision reflects Japan's shift in defence preparations as military tensions escalate in the region.

North Korea recently fired several missiles into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, while China further pushes boundaries in its dispute over Taiwan, most recently by deploying warships in the area.

Japan has relied on peace-focused efforts in its postwar constitution, which kept it from building up its military too much.

There are currently almost 100,000 places nationwide currently that have been designated 'evacuation facilities', but most are simply open spaces, like playgrounds, that have no protective walls.

The United States have conducted military drills in the region. (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, some 56,000 'emergency temporary evacuation facilities' are concrete facilities designed to mitigate damage from ballistic missile blasts, with the majority being government buildings and schools.

Japan has 3,336 underground bunkers capable of withstanding a nuclear attack, but most are privately owned and located away from urban areas with large populations. Together, they would offer protection for just 0.02% of Japan's population

This had already prompted the Tokyo metropolitan government to develop a plan - before the recent announcement of the national policy - to convert underground emergency warehouses for its subway system into fallout shelters.

The new underground bunkers will be built as deep as possible and covered with steel-reinforced concrete walls more than 30cms thick to withstand missile blasts.

They would provide two square meters of space per evacuee and have food storage, electric power, communication, and ventilation so people can survive for around two weeks.

Some of the shelters would be more long-term and located near Taiwan and other islands the southwest, according to reports.

Japan is scheduled to take part in military war game exercises alongside the United States, the Philippines and South Korea.

The operation, named KAMANDAG 9, will see activities in the northern, southern and western reaches of the Philippine archipelago.

Japanese and Korean amphibious drills are set to take place in the South China Sea.

The US has deployed its formidable missile launcher, NMESIS, which is capable of striking naval targets from 115 miles.