Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Focus

# Joetsu Shinkansen Derailment

During the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004 at around 5:56 p.m. on October 23, the Joetsu Shinkansen Line’s Toki 325 derailed between Urasa Station and Nagaoka Station as it was traveling to Niigata Station from Tokyo Station. The 10-car bullet train was carrying 154 passengers and crew, but no one was injured.

The Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission is continuing to scrutinize the accident to pinpoint all the factors behind it. As the earthquake-triggered derailment of a train traveling at around 200 km/h and carrying so many passengers represented an unprecedented event in Japan’s rail history, the commission determined that it was necessary to immediately examine measures for reducing damage during derailments caused by earthquakes, and thus it publicly released on January 24, 2005 a report on the progress of its investigation.

MLIT established the Conference on Shinkansen Derailment Countermeasures, comprising representatives from all Japan Railway operators of bullet train lines, to study measures for preventing derailments, lessening damage, enhancing the earthquake resistance of railway structures, and making other safety improvements. On March 30, the conference members compiled an interim report that called for the following implementations.

(1) Stronger earthquake resistance for mountain tunnels that cross active faults and for elevated bridge supports.

(2) Additional installation of earthquake detection/warning systems along tracks and upgrading of existing systems to prevent derailments.

(3) Study and planning of measures for preventing trains from significantly separating from the rails when derailment occurs, through improvements to both trains and facilities.

(4) Research on ways to prevent damage to rail fasteners and joints, design and install anti-derailment guards, reduce emergency brake stopping distance, and enhance the earthquake early warning system.

The conference has also determined that it is critical for safety measures that can be implemented now, such as acceleration of elevated bridge reinforcement projects, to be promptly put into action. Based on its interim findings, the conference is continuing to pursue necessary measures and additional investigation.

Toki 325 derailment
## CHAPTER 2 MARITIME TRANSPORT

## 1 Maritime Accident Trends

## 1 -1 Maritime accidents and rescues in 2004

A total of 2,883 vessels were involved in maritime accidents, with 979 of them returning to port without assistance. Of the remaining 1,904 vessels, 1,545 were rescued. A total of 13,973 people were on board the vessels involved in accidents. The vessels that required no assistance carried 8,438, while 5,361 of the remaining 5,535 were rescued.

There were 174 people who died or became missing in maritime accidents, and 143 people who died or became missing from falling overboard.

Changes in Vessels, Fatalities and Missing People in Maritime Accidents

2. Figures for fatalities and missing people include those who, due to illness or other reasons, became unable to operate the vessel and died as it drifted.

## 1 -2 Major constituents of 2004 maritime accidents

The growth of marine leisure activity in recent years has been accompanied by a rise in maritime accidents involving pleasure boats and guided recreational fishing boats. The number of such vessels involved in maritime accidents rose by 75 over the preceding year to 1,126, accounting for 39% of all vessels in maritime accidents.

Commercial fishing vessel accidents were responsible for the largest number of fatalities and missing people resulting from maritime accidents (44% of total) and from falling overboard (69% of total).
## 2 Major Maritime Traffic Safety Measures in FY2004

## 2 -1 Maritime environment enhancements

In accordance with the Priority Plan for Social Infrastructure Development, projects were carried out to develop ports, harbors, and waterways designated to be developed and preserved, and to enhance the earthquake resistance of ports and harbors. Under the Long-term Development Plan for Fisheries Infrastructure (FY2002-2006), improvements were made to fishing port and area facilities to promote greater safety for fishing vessels.

In order to improve the safety and traffic efficiency of congested waters, the government established the Maritime Traffic Information Systems to provide maritime traffic information and control shipping, and it operates Traffic Advisory Service Centers. On July 1, 2004, the Tokyo Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center began operating an advanced, AIS (Automatic Identification System)-based navigation support system to further enhance its information services for transiting vessels.

## 2 -2 Maritime safety campaigns

A review of 2003 maritime accidents revealed that nearly 70% involved pleasure boats or commercial fishing vessels, and approximately 70% were the result of human error, including failure to adequately perform watchkeeping. In response to this situation, in 2004 the government engaged in maritime accident prevention activities (accident prevention seminars, etc.) tailored to recent accident trends and the characteristics of each type of vessel.

The government’s “FY2004 National Emphasis Campaign for Prevention of Maritime Accidents” included two important focuses. One was aimed at promoting the wearing of life jackets to realize greater safety in vessels navigated by a single person, and the other sought to ensure dependable means of communication, such as by encouraging ship crews to constantly monitor international VHF radio channels.

## 2 -3 Promotion of vessel safety

The prescriptions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) are constantly reviewed and updated to incorporate advances in technology related to ship safety. The government revised domestic laws with regard to such changes, including the requirement for ships to maintain logs. In addition, domestic regulations were rewritten to reflect the International Load Line Convention’s stricter bow protection requirements.

Driven by growing public awareness concerning the important role played by Port State Control (PSC) since May 2003, the government continued to enhance the PSC system, bolster coordination with other authorities, and focus PSC on vessels of registries with frequent incidence of defects.

## 2 -4 Enhancement of other safety measures

In order to respond to the needs of boat users, and to streamline the system of regulations while maintaining navigational safety, the government partially revised “Regulations for the Enforcement of the Law for Ships’ Officers and Boats’ Operators” in October 2004. Accordingly,
the government informed users about the changes, which included elimination of the Under 5-ton License, and made efforts to ensure proper implementation of the new system.
20 to 22. The ministry also made on-site inspections at JAL's major operating centers in Chitose, Itami, Fukuoka, and other domestic locations in May, and plans to conduct additional JAL inspections every two to three months until the end of 2005 to monitor the progress of the new safety measures and provide guidance on them.

2. Tokyo International Airport ATC incident: At approximately 9:39 p.m. on April 29, 2005, the airport air traffic control cleared an arriving aircraft to Tokyo International Airport from Obihiro Airport to land on runway "A," though information on the closure of the runway had been disseminated. A succeeding arrival from New Chitose Airport was also directed to the same closed runway, but air traffic controllers realized that the runway "A" had been closed, and guided the second aircraft to a different runway.

This incident resulted from inadequate information briefing on the runway closure to controllers, which led to memory slips among all controllers on duty. All controllers involved underwent a recurrent course immediately after the incident.

MLIT ordered all ATC facilities nationwide to develop operational manuals clarifying procedures and responsibilities for collection, dissemination, and cross-checking of aeronautical information for the purpose of preventing recurrences. The ministry is also undertaking additional safety measures, including development of a system to process essential information, such as operational restrictions of runways.

## 2 Major Air Traffic Safety Measure in FY2004

The government has implemented various measures at airports and air traffic services facilities in order to cope with the increasing demand and diversifying needs of air transport and to maintain aviation safety.

Along with the opening of Chubu Centrair Airport (February 2005), the government established a new approach control area, reorganized the surrounding airspace, and restructured some airways.
Focus

## Emergency Implementation of Nationwide Transport Safety Inspections

From January to March of 2005, a series of serious safety problems and accidents attributable to human error occurred in the railway and air transportation industries, including a fatal accident at a manually operated crossing at Takenotsuka Station on Tobu Railway’s Isezaki Line, and a violation of air traffic control procedures by a Japan Airlines Domestic pilot at New Chitose Airport. On March 24, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport responded to this alarming situation by sending notices to railway operators, air carriers, and air traffic control agencies across the nation to request them to carry out full safety inspections.

The inspections, which were for the most part conducted autonomously by each operator, were focused on the following concerns.

(1) Field operations directly related to safety: The degree to which manuals appropriately reflect actual transport operations, how thoroughly information is communicated in the field, etc.

(2) Corporate systems for ensuring safety: The state of internal rules for checking up on field problem reports, what systems are in place to study measures for preventing recurrence of mishaps, etc.

Due to the large number of problems that occurred in the air transport industry, MLIT carried out its own inspections of air carriers to check the progress of their safety inspections.

MLIT has also requested the transport service operators to submit reports after the inspections end, and plans to provide guidance to operators where needed.

On April 25, as the inspections were under way, a disastrous derailment occurred on JR West's Fukuchiyama Line, resulting in 107 deaths and 460 injuries. As this happened just before the Golden Week holidays, a period of heavy travel, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport again sent notices to operators of public land, maritime, and air transport services, strongly urging them to ensure the safety of their services. On May 2 and 6, the minister visited five railway companies, two airlines, and two air traffic control facilities to personally examine the state of their safety inspections.

In response to the air traffic control incident that occurred on April 29 at Tokyo International Airport, MLIT ordered the ATC facility to immediately develop a plan for preventing recurrence of similar incidents.
# — PART II — TRAFFIC SAFETY MEASURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN FY2005

## CHAPTER 1 LAND TRANSPORT SAFETY

## Section 1 Road Transport Safety

## 1 Road Environment Enhancements

With the cooperation of prefectural public safety commissions and road management agencies, the national government will actively promote enhancement of traffic safety facilities and other elements of the road environment during FY2005 in accordance with the aims of the Priority Plan for Social Infrastructure Development.

## Focused implementation of traffic safety measures

Since traffic accidents on arterial roads are concentrated in certain sections, the government will seek to more effectively and efficiently reduce such accidents through a focused approach. To do so, the government will start using a “Priority Identification Process” $ ^{1} $ in FY2005 to pinpoint not only hazardous points, but also road sections with a high incidence of casualty-inflicting accidents so that safety measures can be concentrated on those areas.

In addition, the government will pursue safety improvement efforts based on scientific analysis by formulating and implementing individual measures with reference to the “Traffic Accident Countermeasures and Assessment Manual” $ ^{2} $ and the “Casebook of Traffic Accident Countermeasures.” $ ^{3} $

## Promotion of black spot remedies

With the assistance of prefectural public safety commissions and road management agencies, the government will continue to apply focused accident prevention measures to “black spot” intersections and road sections that have a high incidence of casualty-inflicting accidents.

## Development of “Safe Pedestrian Areas”

The “Safe Pedestrian Area” program will continue to implement wide-area, comprehensive accident prevention measures in designated residential and commercial districts (bordered by major roads) with high traffic accident casualty rates, based on collaboration with prefectural public safety commissions and road management agencies.
## Barrier-free development of safe walkways

In order to ensure the safety and convenience of pedestrians and bicycle riders, the government will promote focused projects for the enhancement of existing sidewalks and the creation of new walkways and bike paths in areas with frequent pedestrian and bicyclist accidents.

In addition, steps will be taken to help seniors and disabled people lead independent, socially active lives by developing broad, level walkways and installing barrier-free signals in areas around train stations, welfare centers, hospitals and other public facilities, implementing reconstruction projects, and eliminating utility poles. Other projects include the conversion of traffic signals to LED systems, and efforts to enhance the visibility of road signs and markers, such as by redesigning signs to be larger, brighter, and adjustable.

## 2 Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Initiative

## Traffic safety education for seniors

The “Citizen-involved Project to Promote Traffic Safety Education for Seniors” will be implemented to train Silver Leaders as promoters of sustained safety education for seniors with an orientation toward involvement, hands-on experience, and personal practice. Also, the “Central Silver Leader Training Program” will be implemented to improve Silver Leaders’ skills in nurturing sub-leaders. In addition, efforts will be made to further expand the “Traffic Safety Awareness Program for Seniors,” which includes the “Cross-generation Sharing Project,” in which people of all generations gather to discuss traffic safety, and the “Senior Home Visit Project,” which offers traffic safety guidance to seniors unable to attend safety seminars.

## 3 Promotion of Safe Driving

## Motorcycle-related safety measures

As of April 1, 2005, two-wheeled motorized vehicles carrying two persons are now permitted to travel on expressways. The government will seek to ensure safety regarding this change by promoting smooth, effective education for motorcycle license applicants, and offering a new course for motorcycle operators when they renew their licenses. In addition, the government will support the hosting of safe motorcycle operation courses, and the provision of practical, effective education for motorcycle operators at designated driver's education schools.

## 4 Improvement of Vehicle Safety

## I mprovement of vehicle recall systems

In order to prevent the recurrence of illegitimate practices regarding vehicle defects, the government will work to make the recall system function more quickly and effectively, and will bolster its supervision of automakers to ensure vehicle safety. This effort includes requiring manufacturers to regularly submit reports, enhancing publicity for users and other aspects of the information gathering system, reinforcing the audit system (including improvement of intensive
audits of suspect manufacturers and dealer audits), and strengthening the technical inspection system for checking and testing suspect vehicles.

## 5 Enhancement of Rescue Systems

## Rescue service enhancements

The government will encourage the holding of first aid seminars for community residents and businesses. Since the right to use automatic external defibrillators (AED) was extended to non-medical professionals in July 2004, the government will have fire and rescue agencies include AED operation as one of the subjects offered in their lifesaving courses.

## 6 Improvement of Liability Security and Victim Support

## Enhancement of public traffic accident consultation services

The “Traffic Accident Counselor Support Program” launched in FY2004 will be further enhanced. The government will support the development of a system to provide traffic accident counselors with direct access to advice and guidance from advisors, including attorneys, so that they can quickly and accurately respond to the increasingly complex and diversified consultation cases they receive.

## Section 2 Railway Transport Safety

## 1 Railway Environment Enhancements

In order to ensure the safety of railway transport services, the government will promote the installation of equipment to prevent damage to railroad facilities by landslides, falling rocks, and other natural hazards, as well as the installation of equipment and structures for eliminating mobility barriers at train stations and other facilities. As a measure for preserving safe travel on smaller regional lines, the government will provide guidance to the railway operators with regard to proper maintenance and repair of facilities and trains.

Efforts will be continued to ensure the earthquake resistance of railway structures through guidance to railway companies on suitable measures for reinforcing earthquake resistance. With regard to subway stations that are not compliant with fire safety codes, the government will continue to encourage subway operators implement the improvements necessary for bringing the stations into compliance.

## 2 Measures to Prevent Level Crossing Accidents

In accordance with the Law for Promotion of Level Crossing Improvement and the Seventh Comprehensive Level Crossing Accident Prevention Initiative, projects will be actively implemented to replace level crossings with overpasses or underpasses, make structural enhancements, install safety equipment, combine and eliminate certain crossings, and make other improvements to prevent level crossing accidents and facilitate traffic flow.
# CHAPTER 2 MARITIME TRANSPORT SAFETY

## 1 Safety Facility Enhancements

In accordance with the Priority Plan for Social Infrastructure Development, projects will be carried out to develop breakwaters, waterways, anchorages, and other infrastructure, create emergency refuge harbors for small vessel operating in coastal waters, reinforce the earthquake resistance of ports and harbors, and make other improvements.

Under the Long-term Development Plan for Fisheries Infrastructure, fishing port and area facilities will be enhanced to realize greater safety for fishing vessels.

## 2 Improvement of Traffic Information and Control

The government will continue operating the Maritime Traffic Information Systems, which provide maritime traffic information and control shipping with the aim of ensuring the safe navigation of vessels in Tokyo Wan, Seto Inland Sea, and other congested areas. The government will also continue to promote the development of a maritime highway network by examining ways to create a new traffic system in Ise Wan and deploying in Nagoya Ko and Seto Inland Sea next-generation navigational support systems that use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).

## 3 Propagation of Maritime Safety Information

As a means of enhancing the impact of publications that introduce detailed analysis of the state and causes of maritime accidents, rulings on such accidents, and preventive measures, the government will conduct maritime safety seminars and other publicity/education activities that utilize the information provided in these publications.

## 4 Promotion of Vessel Safety

In accordance with the “International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978” (STCW) and the “Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea” (SOLAS), the government will continue to promote proper Port State Control (PSC) with regard to foreign crew licenses, watchkeeping systems, and operational requirements (whether crew is fully capable of operating ship systems).
## CHAPTER 3 AIR TRANSPORT SAFETY

## Air Traffic Safety Facility Enhancements

In response to the ever-increasing demand and diversifying needs of air transport, the government has developed plans to implement next-generation air traffic services, including Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT), with the aim of enhancing airspace capacity while maintaining aviation safety as the paramount goal. Implementation of current air navigation systems, such as instrument landing systems (ILS) and airport lighting systems, etc., has also been undertaken along with the development of new airports.
International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences
を設置し,(独)海上技術安全研究所の協力を得てダミ一人形を用いた衝撃試験を行うと共に,様々な分野の専門家を交え技術的な検討を行った。

現在，その結果を踏まえ，水中翼型を含む高速旅客船を対象に，シートベルト設置の義務化等を図るべく，関係国内法令を整備中である。

## 3 危険物の安全審査体制の整備

我が国における危険物の海上輸送に関する安全規制を的確に実施するため，IMOが定めた国際的な安全基準を国内法令に取り入れており，2009年1月1日に基準が変更された危険化学品のばら積運送のための船舶の構造及び設備に関する国際規則（改正IBCコード）及び国際海上危険物規程（改正IMDGコード）を取り入れた危険物船舶運送及び貯蔵規則の確実な運用に努めている。また，IMO等における安全基準の策定にあたり，我が国も国際的な海上輸送安全の確保に寄与すべく，積極的に参加している。

## 4 船舶の検査体制の充実

安全・環境問題の意識の高まりや，近年の技術革新等により，船舶に係る安全環境規制は，一層強化・複雑化してきている。船舶検査の品質を維持向

第2章 海上交通安全施策の現況

上しつつ船舶検査を的確に実施するため，ISO9001に準拠した品質管理システムを活用し（平成18年認証取得），船舶検査執行体制の充実を図っている。

## 5 旅客船事業者等による船舶の安全管理体制の構築の普及促進

海上における人命の安全の観点から，一定の船舶及びそれを管理する会社に対して，総合的な安全管理体制を確立するための国際安全管理規則（ISMコード）の適用が義務付けられているところ，我が国においては規則上強制化されていない内航船舶に対しても申請者が任意に構築した安全管理システムを認証するスキームを制度化して運用している。特に，旅客船事業者には，『ISMマニュアル（見本）』を用いて，任意のISM認証取得に関する啓蒙活動を実施するなどヒューマンエラーに起因する海難事故等の防止を図っている。

## 6 外国船舶の監督の推進

海上人命安全条約等に基づき，我が国に入港する外国船舶に対して船舶の構造・設備基準及び乗組員の資格要件等に関する外国船舶監督を実施した。

## 第 5 節 小型船舶等の安全対策の充実

## 1 ボートパーク，フィッシャリーナ等の整備

## (1) ボートパーク等の整備

放置艇問題を解消し，港湾の秩序ある利用を図るために，既存の静穏水域，遊休護岸等を活用し，必要最低限の施設を備えた簡易な係留・保管施設であるポートパークの整備を推進した。

## (2) フィッシャリーナ等の整備

漁港においては，防波堤や航路泊地等の整備を通じ，漁船等の安全の確保を図るとともに，漁船やプレジャーボート等の秩序ある漁港の利用を図るため，周辺水域の管理者と連携し，プレジャーボート等を分離収容するための新たな静穏水域の確保や，既存の静穏水域を活用した収容施設等の整備を行った。

(3) 係留・保管能力の向上と放置艇に対する規制措置

放置艇問題の解消に向け，ボートパーク等の整備による係留・保管能力の向上と併せて，港湾法（昭25法218）・漁港漁場整備法（昭25法137）に基づく船舶の放置等を禁止する区域の指定等，公共水域の性格や地域の実情などに応じた適切な規制措置の実施を推進した。

## (4) 「海の駅」の設置・推進

プレジャーボート利用者が気軽に立ち寄れる「海の駅」の設置・推進を支援し，プレジャーボート利用者が安心してマリンレジャーを楽しむための利用環境整備を図った。