Ministerial Meeting on Measures Against NBC Terrorism Thursday, November 8, 2001 The Ministerial Meeting on Measures Against NBC Terrorism was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "It is the basic duty of the Government to ensure the safety of the people from the threat of terrorism, and it is important to take all possible preventive measures, in particular against biological and chemical terrorism." Prime Minister Koizumi added, "Toward this end, it is vital that we reconfirm our policy, strengthen our response measures and ensure the safety and security of the people. I call upon the concerned ministers to bear this in mind and apply themselves to serious discussion on this matter." At the meeting, the participants discussed the measures against NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) terrorism being taken by the Government of Japan, specifically the steps being advanced to counter biological and chemical terrorism. The meeting decided on the Government's Basic Policy on Responding to Biological and Chemical Terrorism, which included five specific items.