TheKeibōdan (警防団,Keibōdan; "Civil defense association") was an organization formed in 1939 immediately prior to World War II as ordered by theKeibōdan Order (警防団令,Keibōdan-rei) (announced January 25 and implemented April 1) in order to protect the people from air raids and fires.[1] They were tasked with acting as a support organization for the police and fire brigade.[1][2]
There was less reason to maintain theKeibōdan after Japan lost the war, resulting in it being abolished and combined into the fire brigade in 1947.
Prior to the establishment of theKeibōdan, a fire fighting force known asShōbōgumi (消防組) existed, predating the current fire brigade (消防団,Shōbōdan), which had the responsibility of controlling flooding and fires. In accordance with theKeibōdan Order, theKeibōdan was established and given those existing duties of fire and flood defense,[2] in addition to the other duties of monitoring the skies for air raids,[2] initiating warnings, enacting blackouts,[3] policing,[2] managing traffic, acting as first responders in the event of a major incident,[3] defending against the use of poison gas, operating shelters,[3] and more.
AKeibōdan branch was also established in theoccupied Dutch East Indies (present-dayIndonesia) duringWorld War II on 29 April 1943. Indonesian names for the organization wereBarisan Pembantu Polisi ("Auxiliarypolice") andLaskar Penjaga Keamanan rakyat ("People's defense force").[4] It was formed alongside theSeinendan, and led by the occupation authorities (Japanese:軍政官,romanized: Gunseikan). The purpose of theKeibōdan was to assist the Japanese-controlled police for the duration of the occupation. In addition, the organization ostensibly providedparamilitary training to Indonesian youths to defend their homeland fromimperialism. In reality, the Japanese intended theKeibōdan to be a reserve of troops during itswar against the Allies.[5] InSumatra the organization was known asBōgodan (防護団, "Defense corps"), while inKalimantan it was better known asSameo Konen Hokokudan. AmongChinese Indonesians formed a variation ofKeibōdan with the nameKakyō Keibōtai (華僑警防隊; "Overseas Chinese defense corps").[6] In charge of theKeibōdan were theKeimubu ("Police subdepartment"), who in turn reported to theGunseibu ("Military administration").[7] TheKeibōdan groups consisted of youths aged 20 to 35 years and numbered approximately one million members. Serving as an auxiliary police force, it was authorized to regulate traffic and maintain order and security in the villages.
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