ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Evacuations of civilians in Japan during World War II

During World War II, Japan was targeted by bombings from enemies such as the United States. When this happened, many Japanese civilians had to leave their homes and move to safer places. This leaving of homes is called an evacuation.

The Japanese government had a plan for evacuating civilians called the "hikokumin seisaku," which means "civilian evacuation policy." The plan was to move civilians away from areas that were likely to be bombed by the enemy.

The evacuation was divided into two types: voluntary and mandatory. Voluntary evacuation meant that civilians could choose to leave their homes if they thought it was unsafe. Mandatory evacuation, on the other hand, meant that civilians had to leave their homes, whether they liked it or not.

When the evacuation was announced, people were given a warning by sirens, radio, or even shouted from cars or bikes. They were asked to grab important things like food, water, clothes, and anything else that could be useful, and leave home as quickly as possible.

The government designated safe areas where the evacuees could be relocated. These safe areas included facilities such as schools, temples, and community halls. Some evacuees also went to live with relatives or friends who lived in safer areas.

During the evacuation, it was tough for people to leave their homes as they had to leave behind many things that they loved. However, it was necessary to prevent loss of life and protect civilians from the effects of war.

In conclusion, the evacuation of civilians in Japan during World War II was a process where people had to leave their homes and move to safer areas. This was done to protect them from bombings that could have resulted in significant loss of life. The government organized a plan that included voluntary and mandatory evacuation and provided safe areas where the evacuees could stay temporarily.