Let’s Make Our Community Safer together

Application to become a member ofInternational Safe Community Network
Minowa Town, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

December, 2011

Contents
Chapter 1 Overview of Minowa Town

1

1. Topography
2. Industry, Education, Culture, Health and Medical Services

2
4

Chapter 2 Background of the Safe Community Activities

8

1. Background
2. History of Introduction and Development of the Safe Community Project8
9

Chapter 3 Overview of the Deaths, Injuries, and Accidents Caused by External
Factors11
1. The Factors of Deaths
2. Factors of Injuries
3. Feeling of Safety and Security among Residents

11
13
23

Chapter 4 Endeavors and Objectives

26

1. Most Prioritized Challenges in Minowa Town
2. Objectives and Targets of the Safety Community Programs

26
26

Chapter 5 Endeavors Based on the Six Indicators

27

Indicator 1
Indicator 2
Indicator 3
Indicator 4
Indicator 5
Indicator 6

An infrastructure based on partnership and collaborations, governed by a cross- sectionalgroup that is responsible for safety promotion in their community
27
Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and all ages, environments, andsituations
34
Programs that target high-risk groups and environments, and programs that promote safety
for vulnerable groups
37
Programs that document the frequency and causes of injuries
43
Evaluation measures to assess their programs, processes and the effects of change
44
Ongoing participation in national and international Safe Communities networks
52

Chapter 6 Perspectives toward the Sustainable Safe Community

56

1. The Direction of the Safe Community Activities
2. Sustainability of the Safe Community Activities
3. Future Development

56
59
60

Chapter 1 Overview of Minowa Town
Minowa Town is located in the northern part of Ina Valley, Nagano Prefecture, enclosed by the Japan‟sSouth Alps and the Central Alps. This town has been developing as an industrial town among the pastoral
regions. There are terraces, below which the alluvial soil is covered with the paddy fields inherited fromthe old times. In the west part, the West Tenryu Paddy Fields connect to the agricultural fields in thecentral part of the alluvial fan, beyond which you see the portal mountains to the Central Alps. Along bothsides of the Nishinomiya Line, the Chuo Expressway, you see several trunk lines going in the longitudinal
direction: the Wide Area Farm Road, the Prefectural Ina-Minowa Line, the National Route 153, theMinowa Bypass, and the JR Iida Line. With these ideal traffic networks, Minowa Town is one of the best
towns for you to live.

Minowa Town
Nagano Prefecture

The Symbol of Minowa Town
This symbol is based on an artistic design of the Japanese characters that
denote the name of the town, "Minowa." The symbol represents theabundance and peace of this town. (November 3, 1959)

The tree of Minowa Town
Zelkova (July 1, 1985)*"Minowa" means:

The flower of Minowa Town
Azalea (July 1, 1985)

The bird of Minowa Town
Grey wagtail (November, 15, 2000)

One of the topographical features where the water forms a circle● Population: 26,214 (as of October 1, 2010)● Households : 9,112 (as of October 1, 2010)● Area: 86.12 km2● Altitude: 708 m● East longitude : 137 degrees 59 minutes● North latitude : 35 degrees 54 minutes
Source: National census, Minowa Town Survey

11. Topography
The population has been increasing in general in Minowa Town. The increase rate is outstanding as
opposed to those of Nagano Prefecture and Kami-ina County (Fig.1). Among all the residents, thepopulation of international residents was on the increase until 2005. After this, the population decreasedby 3.6% (to 935) in 2010 (Fig.3).. As for the nationalities, the people from Brazil, China, and thePhilippines cover 86.3% (in 2010).
120
115
MinowaKami-ina
NaganoPref.

116.0

113.3

110
105
100

106.2
102.7

104.1

101.7

102.7

100
100

95

115.7

104.3
103.0
99.8

101.8

90
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 1: Transition of the population indices (100 in year 1990)
Source: Calculated by the Minowa Town government based on the National census

6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Sawa OdeYaot Shim Kamif Naka Mats Kino Tomi Naka Mikka Fuku Naga Mina Kitaome ofuru uruta hara ushi sitata sone mach yo oka mi- ogou

Poplutation 4,133 2,128 539
Household 1,451 748 177

326

764

350 6,401 5,697 390

339

922

776 1,262 601 1,126

112

251

122 2,385 2,013 124

102

406

240

406

192

355

Figure 2: Population and households by the districts (as of April 1, 2011)
Source: Residential Environment Section (Minowa Town Public Office)30,00025,000Foreign resident
registration

20,000Japanese
resident

15,000House hold10,000619

60

22,591
6,298

5,000

23,429
7,232

1,374

1,609

935

24,287

24,66725,279

8,401

9,129

9,112

0

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 3: Transition of the population and households (as of October 1 each year)
Source: National census, Residential Environment Section (Minowa Town Public Office)2

Minowa Town

23.6

61.9

14.5

Old Age Group（64 eys old>）

Nagano Pref.

26.5

59.7

13.8

Productive Age Group（15-64yrs old）

Japan

23.0

63.8

13.2

Youth Poplulation（14 yrs old<）

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

（％）

Figure 4: Comparison of the population composition by three-generation classification (in 2010)
Source: National census

According to the three-generation classification, the population of the youngest generation in Minowa
Town is higher than the average of the entire nation and of Nagano Prefecture. The younger generation in
general, however, has been decreasing, while the older generation has been increasing (Fig. 4). On top of
that, the aging index also has been increasing as the population of the older generation has been increasing(Fig. 5).
30,000（perso n）

25,0003,325

20,00015,00010,000

5,373

4,839

4,134

6,176

14,813

15,94916,822

16,993

16,223

4,513

3,964

4,000

3,910

3,815

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

5,000
0

Elderly
population(Over65yrs old)

Productive
population（15-64
yrs old）
Youth population(014 yrsl old)

Figure 5: Transition of the population by three-generation classification (as of October 1 each year)
Source: National census
（％）

200
150
100
50
0

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Aging Index

73.7

104.3

120.1

137.4

161.9

Elderly populaiton Index

22.4

25.9

28.8

31.6

38.1

Youth population Index

30.5

24.9

23.8

23

23.5

Figure 6: Transition of the age composition index/ratio(as of October 1 each year)
Source: National census
 Aging index = Population of the older generation/Population of the younger generation × 100
 Old-age dependency ratio =Population of the older generation/Population of the productive age × 100
 Young-age dependency ratio =Population of the younger generation/Population of the productive age × 100

3

2. Industry, Education, Culture, Health and Medical Services● Industry
Minowa Town has the secondary industry very flourishing with the manufacturing industry at the center.
In recent years, advanced-development-based companies have been active to come into the town. Minowa
Town is attracting the most advanced technologies in the industrial fields and is developing as anindustrial city in the pastoral region.
20,00015,00010,000
5,000
0

1985年
3,501
6,579
1,817

Tertiary Industry
Secondary Industry
Primary Industry

1990
4,014
7,061
1,559

1995
4,696
7,425
1,546

2000
5,186
8,144
1,329

2005
5,758
7,256
1,283

Figure 7: Transition of the population by industrial classification
Source: National census

Table 1: Working Population and Composition rate by Industries (in 2005)
Classification

Population

Composition

Primary industry

1,283

9.0%

Agriculture

1,278

Forestry and hunting

5

Secondary industry

7,256

Mining2

Construction

935

Manufacturing

6,319

Tertiary industry

5,758

Wholesale and retail

1,614

Finance and insurance

158

Real estate

50

Transport and communications

531

Electricity, gas, and waterworks

31

Service

50.8%

40.2%

3,132

Public service

242

Others14

Source: National census

4

Classification of the manufacturingindustry
 Machinery manufacturing
 Metal goods manufacturing
 Electronic component
manufacturing Transportation machinery
manufacturing
 Electric machine and appliancemanufacturing Information and communication
machinery and equipment
manufacturing
 Plastic goods manufacturing Food manufacturing
 Steel industry
 Furniture manufacturing

● Education
Minowa Town has nine daycare centers, five elementary schools, and one junior high school. Fun physicalexercise, fun English, and reading are the mainstays in the unique endeavors by Minowa Town, whichbring up "distinguished Minowa children" and nurture the human resources to take take over following
generations.
Table 2:
Overview of the Elementary and Junior High Schools(as of May 1, 2011)
SchoolTable 3:
Overview of the Daycare Centers(as of April 1, 2011)

Class

Boy

Girl

Total

Daycare Center

Chubu Elementary School

27

378

335

713

Sawa Daycare Centre

148

Kita Elementary School

17

221

206

427

Kamifuruta Daycare Centre

54

7

44

45

89

Matsushima Daycare Centre

201

8

118

79

197

Nishi Elementary School

8

54

46

100

Total

67

815

711

1,526

Nagaoka Daycare Centre

46

Junior High School

23

385

351

736

Ogochi Daycare Centre

55

Total

90

1,200

1,062

2,262

Kinoshita-minami Daycare
Centre74

Nagata Daycare Centre

88

Total

836

Minami Elementary
SchoolHigashi Elementary
SchoolSource: School basic survey

Kinoshita-kita Daycare
CentreMikka-machi Daycare
CentreStudent

103
67

Source: Children's Future Section(Minowa Town Public Office)Fun physical exercise
The fun physical exercise program is conducted for the children to use
their muscles that may not be used very much in daily lives. This
exercise program is implemented to let the children learn basic
exercises and to nurture mentally and physically sound children.

Fun English
The fun English program aims at the improvement of the international
sense in order to cope with globalization.

5

●CultureMinowa Town has fifteen neighborhoods communities as seen Fig.2 in page2. Each of them is taking
important roles in community development through cooperation among the district's residents, such aspreserving the natural environment, activating the local activities, and protecting and inheriting traditional
performing arts as well as historical sites and cultural properties.

Table 4: Examples of the Cultural Properties of Minowa Town (as of April 1, 2011)
Classification byprotection law

Name

Qty.

Date ofregistration

National important cultural property

Wooden sedentary image of Amitabha Tathagata

1

Jan. 30, 1934.

Prefectural treasure

Wooden standing image of Kannon; standing
image of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

2

Oct. 20, 2008.

Prefectural natural monument

Miyawaki kalopanax1

July12, 1962

Prefectural natural monument

Kinoshita zelkova

1

Feb.25, 1965

Prefectural natural monument

Nakasone double weeping rosebud cherry1

May 22,1967

Prefectural historical site

Matsushima royal tumulus

Feb. 25, 1965

Prefectural historical site

Uenotaira castle ruin

July 3, 1969.

Prefectural historical site

Fukuyo castle ruin

July 3, 1969

Prefectural selected intangible folk
cultural property

Furuta puppet show

Feb. 11, 1963

Source: Lifelong Study Section (Minowa Town Public Office)

Wooden stature of Seated Amitabha Tathagata
In the body of the stature, there are names of donators which arelisted as household in the style of the Heian era. There are familynames „Fujiwara‟ in the listed since this area is used to be a manor
related to the Fujiwara family. Compared to other statues made inthis era, this is stature was made with thicker wood with deeper
strokes.

Furuta Puppet Show
This puppet show is said to have been performed mainly in the
Kamifuruta District, Minowa Town, as dedication to the gods inprayer for wind-damage prevention and good harvests. Currently,
the Furuta Puppet Show Preservation Society is active to play the
major role along with the next-generation elementary-school andjunior-high-school students.

6

●

Health and Medical System

Minowa Town has a health center attached to its public office, where health examination and the like areprovided to the residents. In addition, there are eighteen medical facilities. Minowa Town is also in close
cooperation with Kami-ina County-City to prepare a sufficient number of beds and so forth for the
management of its medical system covering its wide area.
Table 5: The number of Medical Facilities in Kami-ina County-City and Minowa Town
(as of April 1, 2010)(Inactive facilities are excluded. The number of beds indicates only those that are officially approved.)
Hospital
Number of beds

Number of
hospitals

Total

Medicaltreatment

GeneralInfectious
diseaseMentalKami-ina County-City

12

1,819

1,039

302

474

4

Minowa Town

2

206

114

92

-

-

ClinicGeneral

Number ofdental clinics

Number of clinics

Number of beds

127

73

84

8

-

8

Kami-ina County-City
Minowa Town
Source: Ina Health and Welfare Office

Table 6: The Number of Medical Service Specialists (as of December 31, 2008)
Doctors

DentistPharmacist

Dental technician

Dental hygienist

Kami-ina County-City(persons)

261

113

279

68

216

Minowa Town
(persons)

17

11

27

17

20

Public healthnurse

MidwifeKami-ina County-City(persons)

124

45

1,282

483

Minowa Town
(persons)

17

3

117

47

Source: Ina Health and Welfare Office

7

Nurse

Assistant nurse

Chapter 2 Background of the Safe Community Activities
1. BackgroundIn recent years, it is widely recognized that the safety and security of the residential lives are one of thehigh-priority commitments of the administrative bodies. People long for the close cooperation andcooperative management among local residents, police departments, schools, businesses, and so on.
Needless to say, each and every person wants healthy, secure, and safe life, which also is one of the eternaland universal themes for community development. In addition, the burden of medical treatment andmedical expense has been increasing as the society is aging. Traffic accidents keep happening, and so do
the problems that threaten the safety of children. Suicide cases are increasing. All these, along with others,
indicate that our challenges are becoming graver and graver and more and more diversified with respect tothe health and safety of the residents. Under such circumstances, we can call it an unaccomplished mission
for all of us, inside and outside the community, to make endeavors for the development of our safe andsecure community through the cooperative management among the administrative bodies and theresidents.
On top of that, Minowa Town experienced a disastrous heavy rain in July 2006. Facing the frightening
natural disaster, the residents convinced themselves of the importance to build human relations. They are
now well aware of the significance of the endeavors, through the cooperation among the local residents,
for the development of safe and secure community.
In March 11, 2011, we encountered the Great East Japan Earthquake. Minowa Town did not suffer direct
damage. Nevertheless, we have intensified our feelings of the importance to help and take care of eachother in the neighborhood as well as our feelings of the necessity for the development of the safe andsecure community through the cooperative management among the residents and the administrative
bodies.

8

2. History of Introduction and Development of the Safe Community
Project
Minowa Town encountered the Safe Community project in 2009. The project was introduced by the
Nagano Police Headquarters. The concept of the Safe Community involves the endeavors to attain thedevelopment of safe and secure communities through the cooperative management among theadministrative bodies and the residents on the basis of preventive science. This, we thought, should be thevery image of what we had been seeking as the goal of Minowa Town. In December of that year, theresidents and town government declared together that we were going to make the endeavors to develop thesafe community in order to promote the safe and secure town. Since then, we have been active to tackle
the Safe Community activities to be one of the Safe Community members.
Date
Aug.
2009
Nov.
2009
Dec.
2009

Feb.
2010
March
2010
April
2010

Major event
Participating in the Safe ommunity designation ceremony in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Participating in the conference of Citizens' Safety in Yokohama
Participating in the Citizens' Rally for the promotion of Safe Community in Atsugi City,
Kanagawa Prefecture
Declaration of launching Safe Community programs by the mayor of Minowa Town
Registration to the list on the website of The WHO Collaboration Center in Community
Safety Promotion
Providing an educational session about the Safe Community for the personnel (Lecturer: Mr.
Hirano from Atsugi City)
Hosting the First Safe Community Promotion Council
Hosting the study session of the Safe Community for the residents (Lecturer: Dr. Yoko
Shiraishi, Mr. Hidekado Tanaka from Kameoka City)
Participating in the International Conference on Safe Communities in Suwon, ROK
Establishing the Promotion Project Team in General Affairs Section, Minowa Town
Public Office
Hosting the study session of the safe community for the residents (Lecturer: Dr. Yoko Shiraishi)
Installing the banners and flags at the Minowa Town Public Office and the fire department

May
2010

Establishing the Safe Community Taskforce
Conducting a questionnaire survey on Safe Community
Establishing the Safe Community Study Committee

June
2010
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Sept.
2010

Hosting a public competition of the safe community symbol markParticipating in the on-site evaluation for Safe Community designation in Atsugi City,
Kanagawa Prefecture
Hosting the Safe Community Forum 2010
Determination of the Safe Community symbol markHosting the Second Safe Community Promotion Council
Designating the safe community model districts
Installing Safe Community Flags for enlightenment

9

Date
Oct.
2010

Major event
Participating in an event“ Let‟s make Safe Community Toshima together”
Establishing the Safe Community Injury Surveillance Committee
Establishing the Safe Community Suicide Prevention Committee
Establishing the Safe Community Children's Safety Committee
Establishing the Safe Community Seniors' Safety Committee
Establishing the Safe Community Traffic Safety Committee
Establishing the Safe Community Daily Lives' Safety Committee

Nov.
2010

Participating in Citizens' Security and Safety Festa 2010 in Atsugi
Participating in the safety community certification ceremony in Atsugi, Kanagawa Pref.
Distributing the Safe Community Pins

Jan.
2011

Hosting the Third Safe Community Promotion Council

April
2011

Establishing the Safe Community Promotion Office

May
2011

Hosting the Fourth Safe Community Promotion Council

June
2011

Implementing the safe community pre-onsite evaluation

Hosting the study session for the safe community (Lecturer: Mr. Hirano from Atsugi)
Participating in the Taiwan Safe Community Traveling Seminar
Hosting the study session of the safe community for the residents(Lecturer: Dr. Yoshihide Sorimachi)
Participating in the Toshima Safety Security Festa 2011
Starting to wear the Safe Community polo shirts

July
2011

Starting study sessions of Safe Community at neighborhood communities

Sept.
2011

Conducting the safe community questionnaire survey

Oct.
2011

Participating in the Komoro Safety and Security Forum

Nov.
2011

Participating in the establishment general assembly of the National Safe Community
Network

Hosting the Safe Community Forum 2011
Participating in the International Conference on Safe Communities in Falun, Sweden

Hosting the Fifth Safe Community Promotion Council
Hosting the study session of the safe community for the residents(Lecturer: Prof. Noriko Yamada)
Dec.
2011

Submission of the application for the safe community designation (planned)

Jan.
2012

Implementing the safe community on-site evaluation (planned)

Nov.
2012

Hosting the Sixth Asia Region Conference on Safe Communities (planned)

Table 7: Development of the safe community project of Minowa Town

10

Chapter 3 Overview of the Deaths, Injuries, and Accidents
Caused by External Factors
1.The Factors of Deaths(1) The Reality and the Characteristics of the Factors of Deaths
As shown in Table 8 below, the number-one factor of the deaths in Minowa Town is the "malignant
neoplasm" in the generation of 40 through 79. The "Unintentional accident" and "suicide," on the other
hand, are listed in the columns of the generations of 5 through 9 and 30 through 74. (Legend: [-] in thetable indicate “0(zero)”.
Age
0
1-4
5-9
10 - 1415 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 4445 - 49

1st
Miscellaneous
Unintentional accident
Unintentional accident
SuicideSuicideCerebrovasculardiseaseMalignant neoplasm
Respiratory illness
Malignant neoplasm

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Congenital anomaly
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Suicide--Cerebrovasculardisease
SuicideHeart disease--

Cerebrovascular disease-

Liver disease

Suicide-Malignant neoplasm
Unintentional accident
Cirrhosis
SuicideUnintentional accident
Cerebrovascular disease
Unintentional accident-

Heart disease
50 - 54

Malignant neoplasm

Respiratory illness

55 - 59

Malignant neoplasm

60 - 64

Malignant neoplasm

SuicideCerebrovascular disease
Heart disease

65 - 69

Malignant neoplasm

Respiratory illness

CerebrovasculardiseaseHeart disease
Suicide70 - 74

Malignant neoplasm

Respiratory illness

Heart disease

Unintentional accident

75 - 79

Malignant neoplasm

Respiratory illness

Heart disease

80 - 84

Respiratory illness

Malignant neoplasm

Heart disease85 - 89

Respiratory illness

Malignant neoplasm
Heart disease

Decrepitude

90 -Decrepitude

Respiratory illness

Heart disease

CerebrovasculardiseaseBlood poisoning
Multiple organ failure
CerebrovasculardiseaseMalignantneoplasm

Blood poisoning
Multiple organ failure
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Decrepitude
Renal
dysfunction
CerebrovasculardiseaseTable 8: The major five factors of the deaths by age group of Minowa Town (from 2006 - 2010)
Source: Death statistics (Health and Welfare Section (Minowa Town Public Office))11

(2) Deaths by External Causes
When we see the transition of the deaths by external factor, we understand that the number of the deaths
caused by suicides is large every year.
（person）

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Others
Suffocation
Fall
BurnedDrowning
RTA
Suicide

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0
0
0
2
1
3
7

1
0
0
0
1
1
3

0
1
1
0
1
0
7

0
0
0
1
0
0
6

1
1
0
0
5
1
6

Figure 8: Deaths by external factor
Source: Death statistics (Health and Welfare Section (Minowa Town Public Office)(3) Deaths by Gender

When we see the transition of the deaths by gender, we understand that the number ofmales is larger than that of females every year.
（person）

15

10

5

0
Female
Male

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

3
10

1
5

2
8

2
5

3
11

Figure 9: Deaths by gender
Source: Death statistics (Health and Welfare Section (Minowa Town Public Office)122. Factors of Injuries(1) The Reality and the Characteristics of the Transported Persons by Urgent-Accident TypeThe general injury is the largest from the point of view of the accident type, followed by the
traffic accident. These two, the general injury and the traffic accident, cover 91% of the total.
（person）

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Fire

number of transported byamburance

Natural Drowndisaster
ing

2

0

RTA

Occupa-tionalSportsinjury

97

8

2

1

GeneralAssault
Injury109

Selfharm

1

6

Figure 10: Transported persons by urgent-accident type (2010)
Source: Emergency transport data (Bestle 119)

General injuries includes events that are not included
any other items classified according to the types of
injuries, including stumbling during walking, falling
down the stairs, and so forth.

(2) Transported Persons by Accident Type
When we see the transition of the transported persons by urgent-accident type, we understand that thegeneral injuries and the traffic accidents cover a large ratio every year.
14

12

160
144

140
113

10
103

108

111

108

109
100
80

4

40

2

20

0

0
2008

Natural disaster
Drowning

2009

Figure 11: Transported persons by urgent-accident type
Source: Emergency transport data (Bestle 119)13

Spots Injury
Assault

60

2007

Fire

Occupational Injury
74

6

120
97

98

8

2006

（persons）

2010

Self-harm
RTA (right)
General Injury(right)

(3) Age Group of Injured residents
According to the classification by the age groups, seniors and adults cover 87.6% of all cases transported
to medical institution by ambulance.

98

100

0%

20%
Senior

40%
Adult

13

60%
Youth

80%

15

100%

ChildrenFigure 12: people transported by ambulance by age group (2010).
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

(4) Severity of Injuries
According to the classification by the degree of severity of injuries, minor injuries and moderate cases
cover 88.5% of all injuries.

24

2

0%

77

20%
Death

123

40%
Sever

60%
Modelate

80%
Minor

Figure 13: People transport by ambulance by the degree of injury (2010)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

14

100%

(5) Location of General Injuries
According to the classification by location of general injuries occurence, the one's own home is the mostfrequent cases, covering 67.8% of all samples.

74

0%

20%
Home

12

40%

Road

Elderly's facility

7

3 3

60%

80%

Public bath

Channel

10

100%
Other

Figure 14: Location of injury occurrence (2010)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

(6) Cause of General Injuries

According to the classification by cause, fall is the most frequent cause of injuries, covering
64.2% of all injuries transported to hospitals.

0%

70

17

22

(64.2%)(15.6%)(20.2%)

20%

Fall

40%

60%

Fall from higher level

Other

80%

Figure 15: Cause of Injuries (2010)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

Other causes:
・ Hit by falling objects: 2・ Backache caused by carrying heavy object: 2・ Dog bite: 1
・ Cat bite: 1
・ Cut by glasses: 1
・ Burnt with coffee: 1 etc.

15

100%

(7) Traffic Accidents
The facts and the characteristics of the traffic accidents are analyzed as: (a) the proportion of the nighttime
accidents resulting in serious injuries is high(Table 9), (b) the seniors cause accidents as drivers rather thanas any other(Fig.16), and (c) the accidents frequently happen at crossings(Fig.17).

Death
Case Percentage
1
1.4
1
4.3

Day or
Night
Day
Night

Severe Injury
Minor Injury
Total
Case Percentage Case Percentage Case Percentage
6
8.2
66
90.4
73
100.0
6
26.1
16
69.6
23
100.0

Table 9: Accidents at daytime and nighttime in the total cases of traffic accidents involving human
injuries (2010)
Source: Traffic Division, Ina Police Department(case) 15
10
5
0

8

7
2

2

2

9

1

0

0

0 0 0

Walking

Passenger

Driving car

seat

Riding0

1

1

Riding bicycle

mothercycle

2008

2009

2010

Figure 16: Situations at the occurrence of accidents involving seniors
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

2010

55.3%

44.7%

2009

58.3%

41.7%

2008

50.0%
0%

20%

50.0%
40%

60%

80%

2008

2009

2010

Except intersection

48

30

38

Intersecdtion

48

42

47

Figure 17: Locations of accidents (excluding the cases involving walkers)* the table shows the number of accidents
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)

16

100%

(8) Injuries of Seniors
The characteristics of the injuries of the seniors are: (a) the accidents indoors among senior are increasing(Fig.18), with the seniors at the age of 75 or higher suffering an increasing number of bone fractures and(b) the ratio of the people with bone fracture and/or osteoporosis certified for the public nursing careinsurance(PNCI) is soaring.

53

0%

8

20%

40%

60%

Fall

Fall from higher level

12

80%

100%

Other

Figure 18: Cause of general injuries (2010)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)（person）

50
40
30
20
10
0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Home

28

33

32

40

42

Road

7

10

5

8

9

Other

6

16

5

6

8

Figure 19: Location of general injuries
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)（person）
6,000
5,000

5,777

4,000

1,000

13.5

16（％）
14
12
10

755

8
6
4
2
0

9.5

3,000
2,000

5,956

4,839

5.7
489

733

0
2000
Polulation of elderly

2008

2009

Certified elderly for the public nursing care insurance(PNCI)
Ratio of certified persons for the PNCI from bone fracture and/or osteoporosis

Figure 20:Population of the seniors and of the people certified for the public nurse
care insurance
Source: Local Area Comprehensive Support Center, Minowa Town17(9) Children’s Injuries
According to the situations of the injuries and accidents of children, (a) there are many injuries ingymnasiums, on school grounds, on corridors, and in staircases at elementary and junior highschools(Fig.2), (b) there are many injuries in nursery rooms and in playrooms at daycare centers (Fig.22),(c) the children at the ages of 0 to 6 suffer more injuries than the others(fig,.23), (d) the injuries in thecases of (c) mostly occur from 5 pm to 9 pm, (Fig.24) and (e) the lower number of the cases involving
suspicious persons can be result of efforts by watch over patrol for students on the way to school and fromschool to home(Fig.25).
（person）

80
60
40
20
0
Gym

Playground

Hall/Stairway

Classroom

Road

Sport/leisurefacility

Other

2006

62

23

17

13

12

7

18

2007

44

24

13

16

11

6

24

2008

48

33

12

10

11

6

16

2009

32

36

15

13

5

5

11

2010

56

59

14

12

9

1

15

Figure 21: locations of injury occurrence under the environments controlled by elementary and juniorhigh school
Source: Statistics on the benefit payment from non-life insurance mutual funds (* total of the applicants for the benefit)（person）
15
10
50

Nursery
room

Play room

withSpaceplayw/
equipment
play euipment

VerandaHallways Playground

Other

2006

12

5

5

4

2

1

7

2007

3

6

3

3

4

0

4

2008

4

1

4

4

3

2

3

2009

2

4

5

2

3

2

2

2010

7

6

2

2

1

1

2

Other locations
Figure 22: locations of injury occurrence at daycare centers
Source: Children's Future Section (Minowa Town Public Office)・ Lavatory
・ Playground・ Swimming pool etc.

18

2010

9 (69.2%)

2009

2(15.4%)6(37.5%)2（15.4%）7(43.8%)2008

12(60.0%）2007

6(60.0%)2(12.5%)017(35.0%)

1
0

2006

2(20.0%)11(50.0%)0%02(20.0%)22（9.1％） (9.1%)

7(31.8%)

20%

40%

60%

80%

0-6 yrs old

7-12 yrs old

13-15 yrs old

16-19 yrs old

100%

Figure 23: Emergency Transport by ambulance by age group
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)18

（case）

16
14

2010

4

12
10

1
1

8

1
1

3

5

3

6

3

4

2

1

2

1
1
0

3

4

4

5:00-9:00

9:00-13:00

2
0

13:00-17:00 17:00-21:00

2009
2008
2007
2006
2
0
1
1
0

0

21:00-1:00

1:00-5:00

Figure 24: Number of transports by ambulance by time zone (0 to 6 years old)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)（case） 60
15
40

4
10

20

12
15

0

20

2009
14

8

7

8

13

4
4
4

0
Ina City

2010

Minami Minowa

2008
2007
2006

Minowa Town

Villege

Figure 25: Cases of suspicious approaches in the Ina Police District by municipality(per population of1000,000)
Source: Ina Police Department

19

(10) Safety in Daily Lives
The facts and the characteristics of the daily lives in relation to safety are : (a) the people living alone,including those who spend day time alone, are feeling anxieties about their daily lives(Fig.26), (b) there
are cases of suspicious approaches at evening time(Fig27 and 28), and (c) people feel anxieties about thedarkness on streets etc.(Table 10).
Female

15.9

Male

19.4

Total

16.6

11.5

48.0

12.5

33.3

12.0

0%

24.7
34.7

44.2

20%

27.2

40%

Feel confortable

Feel energetic

60%

80%

100%

Feel anxious

Feel lonley

Figure 26: Response to the question “How do you feel about living alone?”
Source: Survey on the daily lives of the people living alone (2010)

1

2

0%

20%
7:00-8:00

440%
15:00-17:00

1

60%

80%

17:00-19:00

100%

19:00-24:00

Figure 27: Occurrences of suspicious approaches by time zone (2006 to 2010)
Source: Ina Police Department

1

1

0%

7

20%
6:00-9:00

2

40%

60%

9:00-12:00

80%

18:00-21:00

100%

21:00-24:00

Figure 28: Occurrences of obscenity cases by time zone (2006 to 2010)
Source: Ina Police Department

caseRoad Safety

Side walkschool route

Street lights

Road/Street

397

261

188

187

156

Table 10: Number of free comment at questionnaire survey
Source: Questioner Survey on Safe Community (2010)20

(11) Facts and Characteristics in Relation to Suicides
In Minowa Town, the situations in relation to suicides are: (a) suicides are not correctly understood(Fig.29, 30), (b) the information is not shared or not efficiently used because the parties concerned do nothave relationship, and (c) males have a little number of people to make consultation with, having atendency to cause a serious case when they injure themselves (Fig. 31, 32, 33).
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

80
(%)

69.5
66.7

Family42.5
42.9

Home doctor
35.4
33.6

Friend18.6
18.8

Specialist such as psychiatrist
11.5
10.1

Colleagues
Other medical institutions

6.6
8.9

Pharmacy

7.1
5.5

Consultation desk at Town office

1.5
1.3

Consultation desk at work

1.3
1.1

Consultation desk at Public health Center

0.7
1.0

Other

70

Minowa Town

4.0
3.4

Nagano Pref.

10.8
10.5

Don't ask for consultation or support

Figure 29: Response to the question “Where do you go for consultation if you don’t sleep well for two
consecutive weeks or longer?”
Source: The survey in relation to the development of mental health (2010)

6.1

Have no where to ask for consultation nearby

3.4

12.2

Don't want to be treated like patient

5.4

Worry about how people think about myself

4.15.9Afraid if someone know my visit for consultation

6.0

8.2
10.2

Time consuming

8.6

Have no idea where to go and ask

9.6

14.3

Busy with work and taking care of family

12.0High cost treatment

12.2

MinowaTown

20.4

Nagano
Pref.

12.2

10.2

Becoming sick is my own fault

15.2

Nothing will be changed

24.5

28.6

22.4

No reason

24.7

34.7

Can solve on my own

37.0

53.1

Will heal in time

51.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60
（％）

Figure 30: Response to a question “Why you do not make consultation even if you do not sleep well for
two consecutive weeks?”
Source: The survey in relation to the development of mental health (2010)21

(case） 15

10

9

6

11

Female

11

5
3

5

1

2

2007

2008

0

Male

6
1

2009

2010

2011

Figure 31: The number of mental health consultations
Source: Health and Welfare Section (Minowa Town Public Office)（person） 20

2

15

6

10
2

14

10

5

Female
Male

13
8

6
0

3

8

2
10's

4
2

1
20's

30's

40's

50's

60's

70's

80's

90's

Figure 32: The number of suicides by age group and gender (1992 to 2009)
Source: Death statistics (Health and Welfare Section, Minowa Town Public Office)（person）20

15

7
12

10

5

Female
Male

3
12
7

4

5

0
Death

SevereModulate

Minor

Figure 33: The number of people transported by ambulance by seriousness of self-injuries (2005 to 2009)
Source: Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)22

3. Feeling of Safety and Security among Residents(1) Overall Ideas
A questionnaire survey was conducted with respect to feeling of Safety and Security, which we could not
grasp the profile from existing data. As a result of this questionnaire survey, a majority of the residents
said they felt it was safe and secure to live in Minowa Town.
The Synopsis of the Questionnaire on the Minowa Town Safe Community◎2010
・ Samples: 6,554 households (the households receiving the Minowa Town Gazette)
・ Collection rate: 82.5% Method of distribution: distributed directly by hand
◎2011
・ Samples: 1,000 persons (Random sampling corresponding to the population composition
by gender and age group at the age of 20 or higher.)・ Collection rate: 59.9% Method of distribution: distributed by postal mailFigure 34: Do you think the life in Minowa Town is safe in general?
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2011)

Figure 35: Do you feel the life in Minowa Town is safe in general?
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2011)

Figure 36: Do you think the life in Minowa Town is safe and secure?
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2010)23

(2) Analysis of Each Item
Among the items, a large number of people feel Worries, in particular, about traffic accidents, the accidents
at day-care centers and schools and crimes.
N/A

Not worried

8.6%

at allQuestions of worry about;

0.8%

 Traffic accidents
 Accidents at day care centers andother schools
 Fall and accidents at home
 Fall outdoor
 Traffic accidents
 Accidents at work
 Accidents in leisure time or during

Very worried
28.7%

Not soworried
12.0%

Worried49.9%

sports Injuries from violence Being involved in crime

Figure 37Fig. 37: Worry about traffic accidents
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2010)

 Fire Natural disasterNot worried
6.3%
Very worried
27.6%

Not so worried
20.0%
WorriedFigure 38Fig. 38: Worry about accidents

46.1%

at nursery schools and other schools
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2010)

N/A
13.9%
Very worried

Not worried at

16.3%

all
4.0%
Not so worried
28.5%

WorriedFigure 39Fig. 39: Worry about being
involved in crime

37.4%

Source: Safe community questionnaire (2010)24

(3) Prioritized Issues According to Residents' Intentions
The residents think it is necessary to take action about certain prioritized issues. The top priority amongsuch items is the promotion of the safety and security of the children including the safety and security at
day-care centers and schools.
Prevention of domestic violence

252

Accident prevention at sports and leisure505

Suicide prevention

642

Safety promotion at work place

651

Prevention of juvenile delinquency

736

Safety promotion at work in farm/forest

924

Disabled safety

1,126

Accident prevention at home

1,760

Disaster prevention

2,254

Crime prevention

2,276

Traffic safety

2,708

Senior safety

3,006Children's safety

3,565
0

500

1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000(response）

Figure 40: What do you think should be the prioritized issues that we need to deal ? (MA）
Source: Safe community questionnaire (2010)25

Chapter 4. Endeavors and Objectives
1. Most Prioritized Challenges in Minowa Town
As a result of the analyses of existing data, questionnaire surveys, and so forth, it has been revealed thatthe most prioritized challenges in Minowa Town are the traffic safety, the safety of seniors, the safety ofchildren including the safety at school, the safety in the life including the safety at home and in public
places, and the prevention of suicides.
To make improvement in these prioritized issues, Minowa Town is in close linkage with the residents andrelevant organizations to make cooperation in various safety community programs.

2. Objectives and Targets of the Safety Community Programs
To make improvement in the most prioritized issues, we specify the objectives and targets for thepromotion of the Safe Community programs. By specifying the objectives and targets, it becomes possible
to make promotion as sustainable endeavors.
(1) Traffic Safety
Objective: Reduction of traffic accidents
Target: Reduction of the traffic accidents in nighttime, of seniors, and at crossings(2) Safety of Seniors
Objective: Reduction of the injuries of the seniors
Target: Reduction of injuries by fall
Reduction of the number of the beneficiaries of the Public Nursing Care Insurance resulting formbone fracture and/or osteoporosis(3) Safety of Children
Objective: Reduction of children's injuries
Target: Reduction of the occurrences of the injuries at elementary-, junior high- schools and day care centers
Reduction of the injuries of the infants at the ages of 0 to 6 at home
Reduction of the accidents on the way to and from school and of suspicious persons(4) Safety in the Life
Objective: Development of a community where the human ties are strengthened and the people living
alone during daytime do not feel anxieties in the life
Target:Mitigating the anxieties of the people living alone including those who spend daytime alone
Mitigating the anxieties of the residents at evening time and reduction of suspicious persons(5) Prevention of Suicides
Objective: Reduction of suicides by 20% or more
Target: Establishment of systems for suicide prevention in cooperation among the local residents
Construction of networks to make efficient use and share of information
Reduction of suicides by males in the prime of professional life, at the ages of 20 to 60
Increasing the number of consultations of males(6) Endeavors for Other Problems
As for work place safety especially in manufacturing, we will put effort on collecting efficient data in relation to thelabor standard inspector's office. Besides the prioritized issues listed above, we examine countermeasures within thesustainable range to develop Minowa Town safer and more secure.

26

Chapter 5. Endeavors Based on the Six Indicators
Indicator 1
An infrastructure based on partnership and collaborations,
governed by a cross- sectional group that is responsible for safety
promotion in their community
1. Clarification in the Fourth Advancement Plan of Minowa Town
Minowa Town formulated the Fourth Advancement Plan in 2010. This plan describes the Safe Community
as one of the courses of community development for the security, safety, and comfort in the life among thepolicies in the basic plans of the second term. The activities across the whole town for the Safe
Community were explicitly elaborated among the policies. With these, we determined to try to embody
our Safe Community through the cooperation of the whole town and to develop a safe and securecommunity.

2. The Organization of Minowa Town to Promote the Safe Community
Minowa Town has the organization to promote the Safe Community with the steering committee at thecore with guidance and support from the Japan Institution for Safe Communities. In addition, the residents,
the police department, and other parties, in cooperation among them, participate in the Steering Committee
as well as committees.
Our model neighborhood community and model school make efforts in accordance with the characteristicsof their local areas and such schools. They share information with the steering committee, taskforce
committees and other parties in an attempt for close linkage.
Our injury surveillance committee makes deliberation from a specialized point of view, providing thesteering committee and the taskforce committees with advice.
There are five taskforce committees, which analyze, examine, and assess the prioritized issues to develop
a safe and secure community of Minowa Town.
As our in-house organizations, there is a study committee, working group, and promotion office each ofwhich takes management of communications and arrangements to examine how to form policies.
In Minowa Town, each and every organization is in close linkage with each other and makes close
cooperation to promote our Safe Community activities. On top of that, we have constructed ourorganization in order to make continuous efforts for our Safe Community activities.

27

3. Structure, Activities, and Roles of the Organization across the Fields

Minowa Town Safe Community
Steering Committee (1)Injury Surveillance Committee

Residents
Relevantorganizations(6)

Taskforce Committee (2)Linkage and cooperation
Promotion of the Safe Community* The parentheses denote the sections described later.
Figure 41: The organization chart for the Safe Community of Minowa Town

28

Suicide prevention

Japan Institution
for Safe
Communities(9)

殺Support[In-house Organization]
Minowa Town Safe Community Study Committee (3)Minowa Town Safe Community Working Group (4)Safe Community Promotion Room (5)Daily Life 予
SafetyModel school (8)防Children’s Safety

Senior Safety

Traffic safety

Model neighborhood
community (7)4. Description about the Items in the Organization Chart(1) Safe Community Steering Committee[Role]

・Formulating the implementation plans for the
Safe Community plans
・Promoting the endeavors in the local areas[Composition]
71 associations, 83 members
Chair:
Toyomitsu Hirasawa, Minowa Town Mayor
Vice chair: Juichiro Kato, Chair, Minowa Town Ward president' Association[Session]
5 times(2) Taskforce Committee and Injury Surveillance Committee

Minowa Town has established five Taskforce Committees and one Injury Surveillance Committee
according to the guideline for the membership of the safe community international network.
Yoko Shiraishi, a certified coordinator of the Safe Community Certifying Center, has been
assigned as the advisor for all the committees.
Committee

Members of Committee

Traffic

Chair: Chair, Traffic Safety Association

safetyVice chair: Traffic Safety Instructor, Nagano Prefecture
Committee: Chair, Minowa Section, Kami-ina Branch, Safety Driving Manager; Manager, Minowa Police Inspector
Police Box; Chair, Traffic Safety Green Cross Association; Local Traffic Safety Activity Promotion Committee,
Nagano Prefecture; Subsection Manager, Traffic Section, Ina Police Department; Manager, General Affairs
Section, Public Office; Manager, Construction and Waterworks Section, Public OfficeSeniorChair: Council Committee, Local Welfare and Elementary School Children Committee

SafetyVice chair: Council Committee, Local Welfare and Elementary School Children Committee
Committee: Chair, Longevity Club Association; Manager, Women's Department, Longevity Club Association; Operation
Committee, Volunteer Center; Representative, Yamaguchi Vigor Association; Representative, Association Salonof Matsushima; Subsection Manager, Life Safety Section, Ina Police Department; Secretary General, Social
Welfare Council; Manager, Welfare Subsection, Health and Welfare Section, Public OfficeChildren‟s

Chair: Chair, Council, Local Welfare and Elementary School Children Committee

SafetyVice chair: Manager, Minowa Block, Ina Children's Police Volunteer Association
Committee: Chair, Social Education Committee; Chair, Elementary and Junior High School PTA Association;
Commander, Association of Commuting Patrol, Kita Elementary School, Sawa District; Chair, Elementary andJunior High School Principals' Association; Representative, Local Parenting Council; Vice Chair, Association of
Nursery School Children's Guardians; Chair, Nursery School Principals' Association; Manager, Life Safety
Subsection, Life Safety Section, Ina Police Department; Manager, Children's Future Section, Public Office;Manager, Education Section, Public Office29

Committee
Daily Life
SafetyMember of Committee
Chair: Chair, Commerce and Industry Association
Vice chair: Commander, Voluntary Fire Fighters
Committee: Chair, Japan Red Cross Volunteer Service Committee; Chair, Association for
the Welfare of the Physically Challenged; Member, Confederation of Women's
Associations; Vice Chair, International Exchange Association; Representative
Director, Minowa Town District, Kami-ina Agricultural Cooperative; Manager,
Minowa Police Inspector Police Box; Manager, Prevention Subsection, Fire
Department; Manager, Residents' Environment Section, Public Office; Manager,
Industry Development Section, Public OfficeSuicideprevention

Chair: Lecturer, School of Medicine, Shinshu University
Vice chair: Chair, Human Right Protection Committee
Committee: Director, Nanshin Hospital; Manager, Health Development Support Section,
Ina Health and Welfare Office, Nagano Prefecture; Chair, Health and Protective
Guidance Association; Chair, Gender Equality Society Promotion Council; Vice
Chair, Local Welfare and Elementary School Children Committee Council;
Member, Association of Himawari; Manager, Life Safety Subsection, Life Safety
Section, Ina Police Department; Manager, Lifelong Study Section, Public Office;Manager, Health Development Support Subsection, Health and Welfare Section,
Public Office

InjurySurveillance

Chair: Lecturer, School of Medicine, Shinshu University
Vice chair: Doctor, National Health Insurance Eastern District Clinic;
Doctor, Local Emergency Medical Center, Ina Chuo Hospital;
Chief, Ina Police Department; Chief, Fire Department; Manager, Health andWelfare Section, Public Office

Table 11: Composition of the Safe Community Taskforce Committees

Traffic Safety
Taskforce Committee

Children's Safety
Taskforce Committee

Seniors' Safety
Taskforce Committee

Suicide Prevention
Taskforce Committee

30

Daily Life Safety
Taskforce Committee

Injury Surveillance Committee

(3) Minowa Safe Community Study Committee (an in-house organization of the Town Office)[Role] -Formulating the implementation plans of each field-Making studies and arrangements of the implementation plans in the town government-Making studies and arrangements of the plans created by the Working Group[Composition]
Managers of the Safe Community Promotion Team and relevant sections and so forth - 12 members
Chair: Shizuo Mukoyama, Manager, Safe Community Promotion Team
Vice chair: Yukitoshi Asano, Manager, General Affairs Section[Session] 7 sessions (including the joint meetings with the Working Group)(4) Minowa Safe Community Working Group (an in-house organization of the Town Office)[Role] -Organizing the objectives of the projects of each field and creating and implementing specificaction spans-Making arrangements of the project implementation plans of each section-Creating materials including those for safe community certification[Composition]
Subsection managers of relevant sections and so forth - 15 members
Chair: Katsuhiro Nakamura, Manager, Public Relations Subsection, General Affairs Section[Session] 11 sessions (including the joint meetings with the Study Committee)(5) Safe Community Promotion Team (an in-house organization of the Town Office)In April 2011, the Safe Community Promotion Team was established in order to further intensify thepromotion of the Safe Community activities. It is the assignments of the Promotion Team to makearrangements with each committee and relevant organizations as well as to take management of thegeneral affairs of the Safe Community activities. As the manager of the Safe Community Promotion Team,a retiree of the police department was assigned. His position is a full-time will not be transferred to any
other post to make this organization to make continuous endeavors for the safe community activities.
(6) Supporting, Cooperative Organizations of Nagano Prefectural Police Headquarters & Ina Police Department
The Nagano Prefectural Police Headquarters regards the Safe Community as effective measures for theadvancement of safe and secure communities. Therefore, the Headquarters takes these activities as theobjectives that should be promoted. In order for Minowa Town and Komoro City, which are promoting the Safe
Community, to effectively promote such activities, the Nagano Prefectural Police Headquarters have establishedthe Safe Community Support Committee in September 2010. The objectives of the Committee include
providing both tangible and intangible support. As sub-organizations of the Committee, they have establishedthe Support Section, the Finance Section, and the Public Relations Section.
The Ina Police Department, on the other hand, takes part in all the committees as their members. The Police
Department provides various types of data and the like. On top of that, in April 2011, the Crime Prevention
Advisor was newly appointed, who also assumed an advisor role of the secretariat of the Minowa Town Safe
Community Steering Committee. Thus, the Ina Police Department and Minowa Town are in cooperation to pushforward the Safe Community activities.

31

(7) Endeavors by the Safe Community Model Neighborhood Community
Minowa Town has assigned the Kita-ogochi District as a model district in order to lay the foundation of
the Safe Community on the local area and in order to turn it as the endeavors of the whole town.
The Kita-ogochi District, having experienced the debris flow caused by the heavy-rain disaster in June
2006, has been advancing the development of the safe community.

[Promotion organization]
Kita-ogochi Safe Community Promotion Council (KSC)[Assignment]
・ Making plans in relation to the Safe Community, and implementing and confirming them aswell as developing countermeasures
・ Publication of the results to the district citizens to reflect on their opinions[Composition] 35 members
Chair: Koichi Kubota, District president
Vice chair and secretary-general: Seiji Fujimori, Chair, Delegate Conference
Advisor: Masatoshi Hiraide, Town Assembly Member
Tadashi Urushido, Former District president
Organization
Development Plan
Promotion Group

Composition of GroupAll group managers, KSC secretariat

Household Safety Group Local welfare workers, Associating Group, Hiyoko Group, Human
Right Protection Committee
Life Environment Group Public Hall, Children Nurturing Association, Forestry Committee,
Association of Azalea Lovers, Environment and Hygiene
Committee
Traffic Safety Group

Traffic Safety Association, Trusty Volunteers, Delegate Assembly,
Construction Committee

Voluntary Disaster
Prevention Group

Voluntary Disaster Prevention Association, Voluntary FireFighters, Japan Red Cross Volunteer Service Group, Longevity
Club, General Affairs Committee
Table 12: Composition of the groups

Promotion Council (KSC)

Workshop32

Study group(8) Endeavors by the Safe Community Model School
The Children's Safety Taskforce Committee analyzed various types of data and so forth. As a result, theyfound three objectives: the safety at school and daycare centers, the safety at home, and safety in theirneighborhood areas. Following this, Minowa Higashi Elementary School was assigned on October 12,
2011 as the model school in order to make specific endeavors with respect to the promotion of the safety
at school and in neighborhood areas.
The model school exchanges information with the model district to share it. They are in cooperation to
make endeavors for the programs (objectives) according to their own characteristics.
[Example of endeavors based on theircooperation]
The Five-Promise ProjectStudents of the model school write messages
on the backsides of the cards with 5 promises forsafe drive. These cards are distributed to drivers
in the model neighborhood community to stickto the principle of the observance of traffic rules.

stMassages by 1 grade students[Upper left] Please wear seat belt
[Lower left] Never drink and drive(9) Support by the Japan Institution for Safe Communities (JISC)
Minowa Town has been working on safety promotion based on the supports and guidance by The Japan
Institution for Safe Communities has been supporting. JISC will also provide assessment on the programsfor safety promotion periodically after Minowa Town becomes a member of the International Safe
Community Network in future.

33

Indicator 2Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and allages, environments, and situations
1. Programs for All Age Groups Environments and Situations
The table below summarizes major programs related to all age groups, environments and situations.

Unintentional
Injuries
Intentional
Injuries

Child(0 - 14)Youth(14 - 24)Adult
(25 - 64)

Senior(65 - )

Home

5projects

5 projects

5 projects

5 projects

School& day care center

5 projects

5 projects

-

-

Work

-

5 projects

5 projects

5 projects

Traffic

5 projects

5 projects

5 projects

5 projects

Leisure/Sports

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

Suicide3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

Violence

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

Disaster

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

3 projects

Table 13: programs related to all age groups, whole life environments and situations

2. Characteristic Programs of Minowa Town
Among projects listed in Table 13, there are some characteristic programs implemented in cooperation
with relevant organizations.
(1) Programs for the Safety at Home
The program is provided for seniors to set up opportunities to take part in various community activities sothat they can continuously act as a part of the society.
Program

TargetRelevant Organization

Activity support project by thegreat seniors in Vigorous Vital
MinowaSeniors

Public Hall
Longevity Club
Association Salon, etc.

34

Started in2011(2) Safety of Schools and Daycare Centers
This program is implemented to nurture physically and mentally sound children and makechildren free from injuries.
Program
Exercise play

TargetRelevant Organization

ChildrenDaycare Ceners
Elementary schools
Universities

Started in
2004(3) Work Place Safety
This program is conducted to promote safety of farmers in spring and fall when they are busiest
in the year.
Program
Safe Farm program

TargetRelevant Organization

Youth
Adult
SeniorLabor Standard OfficeKami-ina Farmers Association
Farm Management Support Center

Started in―(4) Traffic Safety
Enlightening activities are made on streets or on some other places to prevent traffic accidents.
This program is implemented to raise the awareness of the traffic safety.
Program

TargetRelevant Organization

Started in

Traffic safety movement

Children
YouthsAdultsSeniors

Traffic Safety Association
Traffic Safety Promotion
CouncilChildren's Association for
Traffic Safety

1957

35

(5) Safe Leisure and Sports
Participants learn how to use AED (automatic external defibrillator) and CPR.
Program

Target

Life-saving training

Children

certification

AdultsRelevant Organization
Fire Department

Started in
2004

Senior(6) Suicide Prevention
This program is implemented to provide the opportunities for the children through the seniors to learn the
preciousness of life.
ProgramConcert of Life

TargetRelevant Organization

Started inChildren
AdultsSeniors

Board of Education
Women's Association Liaison
Council2009(7) Violence Prevention
The council is setup for collaboration and exchange of information for children who need protection.
Program

TargetRelevant Organization

Started in

Councilofchildrennurturing network

Children
Youth
Adult

Medical Association
Dental Association
Public Health & Welfare Office etc.

2006(8) Disaster Prevention
Residents voluntarily take an important role as a group of fire safety to maintain community‟s safety andsecurity
Program
Volunteer fire company

TargetChildren
Youth
AdultsSeniors

36

Relevant Organization
Fire Department

Started in
1955Indicator 3:
Programs that target high-risk groups and environments, andprograms that promote safety for vulnerable groups
1. Measures for the Improvement of the Safety of High-Risk Groups and for the Preventionof Injuries
As a result of analysis of the existing data, questionnaires, and so forth, it was revealed that Minowa Town
had several prioritized objectives: the traffic safety, the safety of the seniors, the safety of the children
including the safety at school, the safety of the daily life including the safety at home and in public places,
and the prevention of suicides.
Based on those objectives, five taskforce committees were set up to deal with the prioritized objectives indetail. The situations (challenges) discussed by each countermeasure committee are as listed below.
Page

Committee

16

Situations (Challenges)(a) The ratio of serious traffic accidents is high at nighttime.

Traffic safety(b) The seniors, more often than not, are involved in traffic accidents asdrivers.
(c) Traffic accidents occur frequently at crossings.

17(a) The accidents involving the seniors falling down indoors are
increasing. The seniors at the age of 75 or higher are suffering bone
Senior Safety

fracture more frequently than before.
(b) The ratio of the beneficiaries of the public nursing care is increasing
because of bone fracture and osteoporosis.

18-19(a) A large number of injuries occur in gymnasiums, in school grounds,
on corridors, and in staircases at junior high schools.
Children‟s
Safety(b) A large number of injuries occur in nursery rooms and playrooms atnursery schools.
(c) A large number of injuries involve the children at the ages of 0 to 6.
(c) The injuries in (c) frequently occur from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
(d) Only a little number of dangerous cases involve suspicious persons.

20(a) The persons living alone, including the persons left alone during
Daily Life
Safetydaytime, feel anxieties about daily life.
(b) There are cases of suspicious approaches at evening time.
(c) People feel anxieties about the darkness on streets etc.

21-22(a) Suicides are not correctly understood.
SuicidePrevention(b) The information is not shared or not efficiently used because theparties concerned do not have relationship.
(c) Males have a little number of people to make consultation with,having a tendency to cause a serious case when they injure themselves.

Table 14: Situations (objectives) of each countermeasure committee37

2. Situations (Challenges), Targets, and Relevant Parties of Endeavors (Programs)
Following tables list endeavors (programs) planned for different situations by each taskforce
committee.
The indicators and the objectives of the activities for each of the endeavors (programs) aredescribed afterword under indicator 5.
(1) Traffic Safety Committee
Situation (Challenges)(a) A large number of serious accidents occur at nighttime.

Target(s)Endeavors･All reflection night program･Promotion of wearing reflective
sashes･Smart driver movement･Drivers, especially
young drivers･Pedestrians

Agent/Parties Involved･Traffic Safety Association･Traffic safety promotion
council･Police department

Situation (Challenges)(b) The seniors are, more often than not, involved in accidents as drivers.

Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Senior drivers･Traffic Safety Association･Traffic Safety Promotion

Endeavors･The traffic safety classes forseniors･Usage of the vehicle “Challenge

Council･Longevity Club Federation･Police department-Go”

Situation (Challenges)(c) Many accidents occur at crossings.
Endeavors･Installation and correction of thetraffic signs and notifications toprevent accidents at crossings･Installation of traffic signals

All reflection night program

Target(s)･Drivers･Pedestrians

Agent/Parties Involved･Traffic Safety Association･Traffic Safety Promotion
Council･Police department

Usage of the vehicle “Challenge -Go”

38

(2) Senior's Safety Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) An increasing number of senior‟s fall indoor. The number of the cases is increasing inwhich the seniors at the age of 75 or higher suffer bone fracture.
Endeavor

Targets･Distribution and usage of the
Wisdoms for Your Safety andSecurity･Seniors･Households withseniors･Local self-help groups

Agent/Parties involved･Local Comprehensive
Support Center･Fire department･Longevity Club
･Local self-help groups･Health development
support projects in theprivate sector

Situation (Challenge)(b) Bone fracture and osteoporosis influence on the ratio of the beneficiaries of the Public
Nurse Care Insurance to great extent.
Endeavor･ Nurse-careprevention(health academy etc.)

Targets

Agent/Parties involved

class ･Seniors, middle-aged･Local Comprehensive

residents･Local self-help groups

Support Center･Fire department･Longevity Club
･Local self-help groups･Health development
support projects in theprivate sector

Distribution and usage of the Wisdoms for Your Safety and Security

Nurse-care prevention class (health academy etc.)

39(3) Children's Safety Committee

Situation (Challenge)(a) A large number of injuries occur at gymnasiums, in school grounds, and on corridors atelementary and junior high schools.
(b) A large number of injuries occur in nursery rooms and play rooms at Day care enters.
Endeavor
Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Showing notifications to arise ･Elementary school･Police department･Fire department
awareness at the locations inchildren･Traffic Safety Council
schools and day care center ･Students
where many injury cases have ･Day care enteroccurredchildren･Safety classes
Situation (Challenge)(c) The children at the ages of 0 to 6 suffer many injuries.
(d) The injuries in (c) frequently occur from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Endeavor
Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Conducting questionnaire･Households with･Fire department･Parenting circle
surveys based on the analysis ofchildrenthe current situation
representatives'･Providing the child-injury
association･Day care enter children
prevention classes based on the･Guardians
result of questionnaire survey
Situation (Challenges)(e) Further prevention of dangerous cases involve suspicious persons
Endeavor
Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Creation and distribution of･Households･School route patrol･Schools
the maps of the dangerous
troops･Local communities･Safety houses on school
locations on the way toschoolroutes･Police department

Safety classes

School route patrol troops40

(4) Life Safety Committee

Situation (Challenge)(a) People living alone, including those spending daytime alone, have anxieties
about daily life.
Endeavor
Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Distribution of the flyers for･Seniors living alone ･Hospitals･The households of･Doctors
enlightenment to install the･Fire department
emergency information
the physically･Social Welfare Council
capsulechallenged
Situation (Challenge)(a) There are cases of suspicious persons making approaches and speaking up.
(b) People feel anxieties about the darkness on streets etc.
Endeavor
Target(s)Agent/Parties Involved･Lighting up front-door lights ･Houses on streets･Ina Police Department･Companies along･Companies
and outdoor lights･Continuing the activities by･Schools
streets･Local communities･Watch-over troops
the watch-over troops

Emergency information capsule

Lighting up front-door lights and outdoor lights

41

(5) Suicide Prevention Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) Suicides are not correctly understood.
Endeavor･Gatekeeper training course

Targets

Agent/Parties Involved･Relevant organizations･Associations･Companies･Residents in general･Doctors･Clinical psychologists･Psychiatric social workers･Public health nurses･Health and Welfare Office･Mental Health Center

Situation (Challenge)(a) The information is neither shared nor efficiently used because the relevant parties are
not connected each other.
Endeavor

Targets

Agent/Parties Involved･Constructing, participating in,･Local organizations･Relevant associations･Administrative･Doctors･Lawyers･Judicial scriveners･Clinical psychologists･Psychiatric social workers･Volunteers･Relevant associations･Cooperative corporates･Police department･Schools

and making use of the network
to advance suicide prevention
measures (establishing the
Suicide Prevention Measures
Liaison Council (tentative
name)organizations･Suicide Prevention
Countermeasure
Committee

Situation (Challenge)(a) Males have a little number of people to make consultation with, having a tendency tocause a serious case when they injure themselves.
Endeavor

Targets

Agent/Parties Involved･Distribution of various types of ･The males at the age ･Business owners･Companies
informationof their 20's to 60's
･Considering the time zones and ･People working in the ･Doctors･Hospitals
methods to make available thetown･Police department
Mental Consultation Reception･Schools
Window･Relevant associations･The personnel in charge ofmentalhealthcompanies･ MembersofCommerce andAssociation
42

at
the

IndustryIndicator 4：
Programs that document the frequency and causes of injuries
The Minowa Safe Community Injury Surveillance Committee consists of relevant organizations such as auniversity and Medical Association. This committee, from specialized points of view, analyzes the data on
the conditions of the occurrences of the accidents and the injuries collected by relevant organizations andthe like to make advice for each taskforce committee. On the basis of such advice from the Injury
Surveillance Committee, each committee picks up the challenges for local communities and makes plans
for the endeavors.
The data on the conditions of the occurrences of accidents and injuries are collected, basically, every year
within a possible range in order to make mutually connectable systems.

Data on the conditions of the occurrences of accidents and injuries(*see table 14)

Taskforce Committee

Injury surveillance Committee

Analysis

Effects andAnalysis from view point

influences

Adviceof specialists

Agenda/Challenge Setting
Planning countermeasuresEndeavor

Figure 42: Minowa Town Injury Surveillance System

Data

Targets

Relevant Organization.

Frequency(1)(2)

Ambulance transport data (Bestle 119)
Safe community questionnaire

All residents
All residents

Fire department
Minowa Town

Every year
Every 2years

(3)
(4)

Traffic accident statistics data
Data on incidents involving suspicious persons

All residents
All residents

Police department
Police department

Every year
Every year

(5)
(6)

National census
Death statistics

All residents
All residents

Minowa Town
Minowa Town

Every5 years
Every year

All residents

Universities

Every 2years

Seniors

Local Comprehensive
Support Center

Every year

(7)
(8)

Basic investigation in relation tomental health development
Local Comprehensive Support
Center Annual report

Investigation on the life of thePeople living
people living alone
alone(10) Injuries at nursery schools and schools
Daycare center, school,(9)

Social Welfare
Council
Daycare Center(11) Survey on elderly‟s life and nursing careseniorPref. etc.
Table 15: The data on the conditions of the occurrences of accidents and injuries
43

Every 2years
Every year
Every 3 years

Indicator 5：
Evaluation measures to assess their programs, processes and theeffects of change
The achievements of the endeavors (programs) planned by each Taskforce Committee aremeasurement and assessed by indicators set up by the committees.
Taskforce C.
Short-/Mid-term
Measurement

Long term
Measurement

Injury Surveillance C.

Report告Short-/mid-term
Assessment

Long term
Assessment

ReportSteering C.
Management ofprogression

ReportReportPublish of annual
reportFig.43 Flow of measurement and assessment of influence of programs(1) Traffic Safety Taskforce Committee
Situation(Challenge)(a) The ratio of serious accidents is higher in nighttime.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)･All Reflection Night
Operation･Promotion of wearingreflective sashes･Smart Driver Movement
Indicator･The frequency andparticipants of the All
Reflection Night Operation･The number of distributionsof the reflective sashes andthe smart-driver magnet
sheetsShort Term(awareness)

Mid Term(Behavior)Long term(condition)

Arising theawareness of thedanger atnighttime

Increase of theusers of reflective
gears such asreflective sashes

Decrease of theserious accidents
at nighttime

Confirming thechanges in theawareness by
usingquestionnaire
surveys

Confirming theusers of thesashes and theconditions of
implementationof the smart
driving

The conditions of
the serious
accidents atnighttime

Questionnaire

On-site Check

Data (1) (2)Method44

Situation (Challenge)(b) Seniors are involved in accidents, more often than not, as drives.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)

Mid Term(Behavior)Long term(condition)･The traffic safety classes for

Arising theawareness of thedeterioration inphysical ability
and discernment
due to aging

Increase of thenumber of theseniors who divesafelyDecrease of thenumber ofaccidents involving
senior drivers

Confirming thatthe seniors areaware of thedeterioration inphysical ability
and discernment

Conditions of thesafe driving by
the seniors

Conditions of theoccurrences of theaccidents involving
senior drivers

Interview intraining courses

On-siteconfirmation

Data (1) (3)seniors･Usage of vehicle“Challenge-GO”

Indicator･Traffic safety classes;-the number of training
courses such as the ones
with “Challenge-GO”;-the number of participantsMethodSituation(Challenge)(c) Many accidents occur at crossings.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)・Installing and correcting
traffic sings andnotifications to prevent
accidents at crossings
・Installing traffic signals

Short Term(awareness)

Mid Term(Behavior)

Make better sight Follow trafficof traffic lights
lights and signs
and signs

Long term(condition)

Decrease of thetraffic accidents atcrossings

Indicator

・The number of traffic signs Check sight
installed or corrected
on-site・The number of traffic
signals installed orcorrected

Check drivers‟
behavior‟s on
site

Situations of theaccidents atcrossings

MethodInvestigation at crossings45

Data (1) (3)(2) Seniors' Safety Taskforce Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) The number of the seniors fall indoors is increasing. The seniors at the age of 75 or higher
suffering bone fracture are increasing.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)
・Distribution and usage of the Acknowledging
information kits “Safety and danger, harm, anddangerous acts in
Security Wisdoms”
everyday life, andacknowledging thedangerous factors that
may be a cause of fallor accidents indoors

Mid Term(behavior)
Organizing aroundoneself and indoors,
modification of houses
such as installation ofhandrails and barrier-freerenovation to remove therisk factors that may leadto fall and accidents

Indicator
・The number of Kits “Safety and Awareness ofRemoval andSecurity Wisdoms” distributed
dangerous factors improvement of・The number of requests for thedangerous factors
distribution of the kits

Long Term(condition)
Decrease of theaccidents inwhich the seniors
fall

yearly numbers of
the seniors falling
down or sufferingbone fracture

MethodQuestionnaire

Data (1)Situation (Challenge)(b) The ratio of the beneficiaries of the Public Nursing Care Insurance(PNCI) is
conspicuously increasing due to bone fracture and osteoporosis.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)・Nursing care prevention class Learning theknowledge(Health Academy)necessary for thedevelopment ofhealthIndicator
・The number of participants in Change in
the nursing care prevention awareness ofclassesparticipants

Mid Term(behavior)
Taking a positive
attitude inparticipating in
health-developing
activities and turning
such activities into
one's own habit

Long Term(condition)
Decrease in thenumber of thebeneficiaries of the
Public Nursing Care
Insurance with bone
fracture and/or
osteoporosis

Change inbehavior ofparticipants

The number of new
applicants to the benefits of
the Insurance with bone
fracture and/or osteoporosis

MethodQuestionnaire

46

Data (8)(3) Children's Safety Taskforce Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) Many injuries occur in gymnasiums, on school grounds, on corridors, and in staircases
at elementary and junior high schools.
(b) Many injuries occur in playrooms, on corridors, and on jungle gyms at nursery schools.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)

Mid Term(behavior)Long Term(condition)

・Posting notification of spots

Being aware of
the locations inwhich injuries
frequently occur

Being aware ofdangerous
locations and pay
attention to theacts

Decrease in thenumber of
injuries atelementary, juniorhigh schools, anddaycare centers

Confirming thechange inbehavior

The number ofoccurrence of
injuries indangerous places

Self-check Quiz

Data (1) (10)where injuries frequently
occur at schools and cay
care centres
・Safety classes

Indicator
・The methods and the number Confirming theof publications
degree of・The number of sessions ofunderstandings
safety classes and thenumber of the participantsMethodPopping Quiz
Situation (Challenge)(c) The children at the ages from 0 to 6 cause many injuries.
(d) The injuries in (c) frequently occur from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)

・Conducting questionnaire

Arising theawareness ofeach household

Endeavors madeDecrease of theby the households injuries at home
to prevent injuries of the children at
the ages from 0 to
6

The degree ofthe awareness ofthe dangerous
locations andacts

The number ofincidents of close
calls at homesurveys based on the analysisof the current situation
・Providing injury prevention
classes based on the results of
the questionnaire surveys
Indicator
・response and collection
number・The number of the sessionsof the classes andparticipants

Mid Term(behavior)Long Term(condition)

The number of
injuries at homeof the children at
the ages from 0 to
6

MethodQuestionnaire
47

Data (1)Situation (Challenge)(e) There is still some cases of dangers involving suspicious persons.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)
Short Term
Mid Term
Long Term(awareness)(behavior)(condition)
・Creation and distribution Being aware of Staying away
Decrease of theof the maps illustrating
dangerous
from theaccidents on thethe dangerous locations
locations
dangerous
way to and fromon schooling routes
locationsschool such as
the ones
involving
suspicious
persons
Indicator
・The number of locations of The usage of
The number of
The number ofdangerous location
the maps for
accidents at the accidents on theillustrated on the maps
the watch-over dangerous
way to and from・The number of distributed activities forlocationsschool such asmaps
the children on
the ones
the way to andinvolvingfrom school
suspicious
persons
MethodInterviews toInterviews toData (4)the watch-over schools and so
troopsforth

48

(4) Daily Life Safety Taskforce Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) Residents living alone, including those spending daytime alone, feel anxieties about life.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)
Short Term
Mid Term
Long Term(awareness)(behavior)(condition)
The
necessityofInstallingtheLightening
the・Distribution of the flyers forthe capsule
capsule andanxieties felt by thethe enlightenment of therecognized by the
updating its
household members
installation of thehouseholds
withincontents
within the scope
emergency information
the
scope
capsuleIndicator
The number of
The number ofChecking the・Publication at therequest of capsule installed capsules anxieties by
respect-for-the-aged function
and the number ofquestionnaires
・The number of flyers
inquiries
distributions
・The number of installed capsules
MethodList of the applicants List of the users
Data (2) (9)Situation (Challenge)(b) There are cases of suspicious approaches at evening time.
(c) People feel anxieties about the darkness on streets etc.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program) (1)
Short Term
Mid Term(awareness)(behavior)
Awareness of the Implementation
・Lighting front-door lights
necessity ofin certain areas
and outdoor lights
lights at night(LED lights etc.)
Indicator
The number of houses turning on the・The number of distributed
door lights and outdoor lights
flyers
MethodConfirmation by the taskforce Committee
Achievement
Endeavor (Program) (2)
Short Term
Mid Term(awareness)(behavior)
Activation of the・Continuing the activities by Confirming
importanceofactivities
the Watch-over Troops
the activities
Indicator
The state of
The number of・The numbers of theunderstandingofparticipants in theparticipants and the parties
factors ofWatch-overin the activities
anxieties
Troops・The situations of theactivities
MethodConfirmation by the Watch-overTroop Liaison Conference etc.
49

Long Term(condition)
Decrease of
suspicious persons

The number ofsuspicious persons
Data (4)Long Term(condition)
Lightening theanxieties

Confirming theanxieties of thelocal residents

Data (2)(5) Suicide Prevention Taskforce Committee
Situation (Challenge)(a) Suicides are not correctly understood.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)
・Gatekeeper training
courses

Indicator
・The number of thesessions of the training
courses・The number of

Short Term(awareness)

Mid Term(behavior)Long Term(condition)

Learning signals ofsuicides andappropriate handling

Being aware ofsignals ofsuicidesThe number ofthe people who
can notice thesignals ofsuicides andhandle themappropriately

Confirming thedegree ofunderstanding

The number ofactivities andexperiences andthe number ofhandlings

The transition of
the number ofsuicides and thenumber ofself-injuries

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

Data (1) (6) (7)participantsMethodSituation (Challenge)(b) The information is neither shared nor efficiently used because relevant parties do nothave relationship.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)

Short Term(awareness)

・Constructing, participating in, Examining andand using the network tolearning thepromote the measures fornecessity of thepreventing suicides
network and the(establishing the Suicide
expected effects
Prevention Countermeasure brought by the
Liaison Council (tentative
connectionname))
Indicator
・The state of the participation Verification ofin the network
the effects
・The state of establishment

Mid Term(behavior)Long Term(condition)

Opening the
network meetings
periodically toshare information

Sharing
information,
efficient use of
information, andintensifying therelationship

Opening themeetings

The number ofsuicidesThe number ofsessions

Data (1) (6) (7)MethodQuestionnaire50Situation (Challenge)(c) Males have only a little number of people to make consultation with, having atendency to cause a serious case when they injure themselves.
Achievement
Endeavor (Program)
Short Term
Mid Term
Long Term(awareness)(behavior)(condition)
・Providing various types of Being aware of Asking for
Increase in theinformation
how to handle
consultation
number of the・Give consideration to the worries when
when you have consultations
available time and theyou have one
worries without made by themethods to open thetrying to handle males at the
Mental Consultation
them on yourages of 20's to
Reception Window
own
60's
Indicator
・The number of
The number of The number of
The number of
distributions of the cards the recipientsvarious types of suicides
and the number of theconsultations
locations in which thecards are available
・The number of sessions of
the Mental Consultation
Reception Window
MethodQuestionnaire
Interviews at the Data (1) (6) (7)Consultation
Reception
Window*The information on the causes of suicides provided by the police department is used for as
various measures as possible.

51

Indicator 6:
Ongoing participation in national and international Safe
Communities networks
Minowa Town has been positively participating in the Safe Community Networks inside and outside Japanand share the information on the Safe Community activities.

1. Participating in the National Network(1) Overview of the Participation
Minowa Town participated in the designation ceremonies in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture and Atsugi
City, Kanagawa Prefecture, for example. Thus, we have been trying to share information about theendeavors andactivities for the Safe Community at home. We, in particular, are currently making
efforts to acquire the designation as a Safe Community. Our information is exchanged via active linkages
with Toshima City, Tokyo, and Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, through study sessions and so forth.

Date

Major Event

2009.8

Participating in the safe community certification ceremony in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture

2009.11

Participating in the Japan Scientific Meeting for Citizens' Safety in Yokohama

2009.11

Participating in the Citizens' Rally for the promotion of the safe community in Atsugi City,
Kanagawa Prefecture

2010.6

Participating in the on-site examination for the safe community in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture

2010.7

Participating in the safe community study session

2010.10

Participating in the safe community study session

2010.10

Participating in the Safe Community of Toshima Developed by Everybody

2010.11

Participating in the Citizens' Security and Safety Festa 2010 in Atsugi
Participating in the safe community certification ceremony in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture

2010.12

Participating in the safe community study session

2011.5

Participating in the safe community study session

2011.6

Participating in the Toshima Safety and Security Festa 20112011.7

Participating in the safe community study session

2011.9Participating in the sixth Asian Region Safe Community Conference Executive Committee

2011.10

Participating in the 2011 Komoro Citizen's Safety and Security Forum2011.11

Participating in the sixth Asian Region Safe Community Conference Executive Committee

2011.11

Participating in the general assembly for the establishment of the Network Conference of the
Nationwide Safe Community Promoting Local Governments

2011.12

Participating in International Safe School Certifying Centre Designation Ceremony and symposium

Table 16: Participations in the national network52

(2) Accepting Inspections
Minowa Town is trying to diffuse and to make known the safe community activities by taking a positive
attitude in accepting inspections.

Date2010.42010.10
2011.1

Local Government Etc.
Date
Fukushima Prefectural Assembly 2011.9
Residents' Council in the Mitaka 2011.10
Station Area, Tokyo
Kanagawa Prefectural Police
2011.11

Local Government Etc.
Toshima Town Assembly, Tokyo
Memuro Town, Hokkaido
Sunagawa City Assembly, Hokkaido

Table 17: Local governments etc. accepted for inspection

2. Participation in the International Networks
Minowa has been actively taking a part in the international network. In addition, we invited experts fromthe Safe Community Certifying Center (ROK, Taiwan, China).
(1) History of Participations

Date
2010.32011.42011.62011.9Major Event
Participating in the International Conference on Safe Communities in Suwon, ROK
Participating in the Safe Community Traveling Seminar in Taiwan
Taking the Safe Community Pre- on-site evaluation
Participating in the International Conference on Safe Communities in Falun, Sweden

Table 18: The history of participations in the international network(2) Hosting the Sixth International Conference on Safe Communities in the Asian Region
In November 2012, Minowa Town will host the sixth Asian Region Conference on Safe Communities with
Toshima City (Tokyo), Komoro City (Nagano Prefecture). The participants will have opportunities to learn
practical activities and to share their effects and knowledge. In order to make this conference to besignificant, The three communities are making close linkage and cooperation with relevant organizations.
On top of that, we are going to host a traveling seminar so that a lot of participants, from the inside andoutside of Japan, can see our endeavors.
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3. Unique Enlightenment Activities
Minowa Town is continuing its unique enlightenment activities to make strong advancement in the
diffusion of the Safe Community activities.
(1) Hanging Banner and Flag
The entire city makes endeavors for the Safe Community activities. In order to express this intention ofours, we show the banner in front of the main entrance of the Minowa Town Office. In addition, we hang aflag at the Minowa Fire Department Headquarters.

(2) Preparing Pin Badge and Polo Shirt
To make known the Safe Community activities inside and outside the town, we hosted a competition togather draft symbol marks. Then, we printed the winner's symbol mark on pin badges. These pin badges ofour creation are distributed to a lot of citizens of the town including the members of the Steering
Committee and the Taskforce Committee. We wear them. In addition, we have created polo shirts for the
purpose of enhancement of the sense of solidarity among the relevant staffs of the Safe Community
activities and for the purpose of energy saving. We wear them.

(3) Showing Flags
We set up flags, which convey the symbol mark and the slogan, at the public office, public hall, and otherpublic facilities, where a lot of town citizens pay visits.

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(4) Public Relations with Various MediaTo make known the safe community activities more town citizens, we use our gazette, broadcast program,and newspaper for public relations.

PR MediaFrequency of Publication

Gazette (The Fruit of Minowa)
PR broadcast show
(The Channel of Scarlet Leaves)
Newspaper (The Outlook of Minowa)
Mail magazine (Momiji the Wisdom Kid)

Issued on the first day every month
Broadcast on the second Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday every month
Reported on the fourth Saturday every month
Distributed on the first day every month

Table 19: List of several activities(5) Providing Training Courses for the Residents and the Local Communities
We are active in providing training courses to make known our safe community activities and to expand
the activities in the model district to the other districts.

Training Courses
Participants
20 sessions
629
Table 20: Sessions and participants of the training courses(April 1, 2011 - November 15, 2011)(6) Hosting the Safe Community Forum
Minowa Town hosted a Safe Community Forum for citizens to further understand the Safe Community.
This forum had two sessions: the first one in 2010 and the second one in 2011. In 2010, Dr. Yoko Shiraishi
was invited as a commentator. The volunteer firefighters, the schooling patrol troops, and the local-areasocial and welfare council made presentations of their endeavors. In 2011, Dr. Shiraishi was invited as acoordinator. The chairpersons of the Countermeasure Committees had a panel discussion and so forth. All
these raised the awareness of the safe community activities.

(7) Providing a Disaster Prevention Lecture
In September 15, 2011, Minowa Town provided a disaster prevention lecture to raise the awareness about
the disaster prevention. The Manager of the Safe Community Promotion Team reported on the Safe
Community activities. Toshitaka Katada, Professor, Graduate School of Gunma University, was also
invited. He titled his lecture "The Ability to Live through the Unexpected." We reconfirmed the necessity
to develop community safety through our cooperation.

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Chapter 6. Perspectives toward the Sustainable Safe Community
1. The Direction of the Safe Community Activities(1) Clarification in the Fourth Development Plan of Minowa Town
Minowa Town formulated the fourth development plan of Minowa Town in 2010. In the policy of thesecond term basic plan in the fourth development plan (the five-year plan from 2010 to 2014), the safe
community was defined as one of the development processes of the community that was eco-friendly andin which people could live safely, securely, and comfortably. The activities across the entire town toward
the safe community were clarified as a policy. Thus, we determined to promote the development of thesafe and secure community in order to realize the safe community for the entire town.

Future image of the town
Minowa, the town where the people and the community look brilliant
with creativity and vigor

Policy (the mainstay of the community development)
Chapter4:The development of the community that is eco-friendly andwhere the people live safely, and comfortably

MeasureSection5: The activities across the entire town toward the Safe
Community
Content
Have a point of view that it is possible to prevent accidents andinjuries. Continue all the currently existing activities all across the
town including the volunteer fire fighters, the Traffic Safety
Association, the Crime Prevention Association, crime prevention
patrols, the schooling watch-over troops, the Youth Sound Nurturing
Association, and so forth. In addition, advance the activities based on
the analysis of the current situations toward the safe and securecommunity.
Figure 43: Schematic view of the second term basic plan in the fourth development plan of Minowa Town

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(2) For the Development of Minowa Town Full of Vitality and Vigor (Manifesto)
The town mayor of Minowa Town issued a manifesto, in which he stated that Minowa Town was going toacquire the certificate of the safe community.
Ten Promises toward the Development of Minowa Town Full of Vitality and Vigor(excerpt)
Promise #5: Minowa Town is going to acquire the certificate of the safe community.
It is the most prioritized objective in the operation of the local government to realize
the safe community, the safe and secure town.
On the basis of the understanding and cooperation of all the citizens of the town, we
make endeavors for the development of secure town. We are making efforts to acquire
the certificate in May 2012.

(3) Establishment of the Safe Community Promotion Room (formerly described）
In April 2011, the Safe Community Promotion Room was established in the Minowa Town Public Officein order to further intensify the promotion of the safe community activities. It is the assignments of thePromotion Room to make arrangements with each committee and relevant organizations as well as to takemanagement of the general affairs of the safe community activities. The manager of the Safe Community
Promotion Room is assumed by a retiree of the police department. This is a full-time post, and the
manager will not be transferred to any other post. We have constructed this organization to makecontinuous endeavors for the safe community activities.
(4) Formulation of the Crime Syndicate Elimination Ordinance of Minowa Town
In order to advance the elimination of the crime syndicates and in order to realize the safe community andmake contribution to the sound development of the social and economic activities, Minowa Town has
formulated this ordinance.

Crime Syndicate Elimination Ordinance of Minowa Town (excerpt)(Objectives)
Article 1:
This ordinance formulates the basic principle with respect to the elimination of the crime
syndicates and clarifies the responsibilities of the town, the citizens of the town, and thebusinesses as well as the basic items and the like of the policies in relation to the elimination of
the crime syndicates in order to advance the elimination of the crime syndicates, in order torealize the Safe Community as the local society comfortable to live in which all the citizens
in the town may live safely and securely, and in order to make contribution to the sounddevelopment of the social and economic activities.

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(5) Enhancement of Awareness of and Interest in the Safe Community Activities
Minowa Town is active in making efforts for diffusion and enlightenment in order for the town citizens tohave sufficient knowledge of the Safe Community and to have interest in the Safe Community.

Awareness
46.6%
in 2011
Awareness
31.9%
in 2010Figure 44: Changes in the awareness about the safe community activities
Source: Safe Community questionnaire

Interest
64.8%
in 2011
Interest
57.7%
in 2010Figure 45: Changes in the interest in the safe community activities
Source: Safe Community questionnaire(6) Development of the Model Neighborhood Community and the Model School
Minowa Town publishes the endeavors in the model Neighborhood Community to the public to expand
the circle of the safe community through cooperation. In addition, as for the endeavors at the model school,
we examine the endeavors toward the international safe school in an attempt to expand them to otherschools.

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2. Sustainability of the Safe Community Activities
In order to advance the safe community activities, Minowa Town verifies the achievements based on theindicators of each program in the endeavors of sustainable activities. In addition, we control the status of
the development according to our plan so that we may handle the activities corresponding to the social
trends and so forth, enriching our safe community activities.

Preparationin 2009

Implementationin 2010, in 2011・ Investigation,
research・ Declaration oflaunching SC・ Establishment of thePromotion Council
・ Implementation ofquestionnaires
・ Establishment of theCountermeasure
Committees

Continuationin 2012

Expansionin 2017・ SC designation
・ Host the 6th AsianRegion Conference onSC・ Establishment of the
Injury Investigation
Committee

・ Implementation,assessment, andimprovement of specificmeasures・ Selection of the model
district・ Development of themodel district・ Selection of the model
school・ Development of themodel school
・ Study on ISS

・ SC
re-designat
ion

Diffusion of the SC activities and enlightenment
Participation in the SC networks inside and outside Japan

Figure 46: Schedule of the strategy for the safe community promotion(*SC: Safe Community; ISS: International Safe School)59

3. Future Development(1) Continuing and Expanding the Safe Community Activities
Minowa Town sees the acquisition of the safe community certification as the starting point for further
endeavors to ensure safety and security. Minowa Town continues and expands the safe community
activities with the keywords, the ties in the local community (intensification of the linkage of the local
communities), the cooperation, and the continuation. Thus, we aims for Minowa, the town where thepeople and the community look brilliant with creativity and vigor, as stated in the second term basic planin the fourth development plan of Minowa Town.
To specifically name a few:
 Establishment of the cooperative organization from a view point of the residents and thepractical use of this organization
 Continuance of the operation of the program to keep record of the frequency and the causes of
injuries Selection of the objectives corresponding to various situations and verification of thecountermeasure programs and the assessments
Continuous planning, practice, and verification make a circle to expand continuous safe community
activities.
The model district and the model school are among the endeavors to expand the safe community activities.
The model school, in particular, involves the elementary school children and the junior high school
students, who are going to be the mainstays of the next era. We make our efforts to make cooperation withthe households and the local communities to make advancement in securing the safety of the children
especially at school. Further, we expand our activities to the other schools, examining the endeavors forthe international safe school.
Moreover, we continue hosting the forums for the residents to diffuse our Safe Community activities in the
town and to enlighten people about them.
(2) Close Cooperation with the Safe Communities inside and outside JapanWe make our plans to take part in the safe community networks inside and outside Japan, sharing theinformation. In Japan in particular, we think highly of the network with the local governments alreadycertified and yet to be certified. Through the safe community activities, we keep paying attention to the
support at the time of disaster and so forth, establishing the network. Thus, our safe community activities
are advancing.

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Contact:
Safe Community Promotion Team
General Administration Division, Minowa Town Office
Address:
10298 Oaza Naka-Minowa, Minoa Town, Kami-ina-Gun,
Nagano Prefecture, 299-4695 Japan
Phone: +81-265-79-3111
Fax:+81-265-79-0230
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Email: safe.minowa@gmail.com

Make the world safer from our town, Minowa

Symbol Logo of Minowa Safe Community《Concept》
This logo is designed based on the Japanese alphabet”み(mi)”which is the firstcharacter of Minowa Town with expression of people jumping and dancing hand inhand in the safe society.
The color of arrange indicate the sun, green is the earth and leaved of trees, andblue is the sky and stream. As a total it represents Minowa Town with abundantnature.
This symbol is modern, simple and loved by everyone for long.