were dispatched from the MPD Support Office, and with regard to the accommodation for the dispatch units, the NPA Support Office conducted such tasks as directly securing private sector accommodation.

Main Issues for Review on the Dispatch of Units

- In response to this earthquake, the IERU was first dispatched to undertake search and rescue, and other tasks and as the needs of the affected prefectures subsequently became clearer, regular units were dispatched in succession in response to those needs. These regular units, unlike the IERU, have practically no self-supporting ability so unit operation will be reviewed from the perspective of supply and transport of food supplies and other items as well as the securing of accommodation.

- With regards to regular units, as there were some cases where there were difficulties in securing officers due to prolonged periods of dispatch and units being dispatched multiple times, a structure that prepares for prolonged and diverse unit dispatch will be constructed.

3) Increasing the Number of Police Officers in the Three Affected Prefectures

In order to adequately cope with the changing circumstances of public safety and the increase in policing tasks in the process of recovery and reconstruction following the earthquake, it was determined that the number of police officers in the three affected prefectures would be increased by a total of 750 officers, and as there was a need for the immediate placement of fully capable officers in the affected areas, police officers with case processing ability who were already serving in regional, traffic and crime investigations, and other fields were selected and specially assigned to police in the three affected prefectures on February 1, 2012.

The increased police officers were mainly assigned to activities such as patrolling in the vicinity of temporary housing, traffic controlling at junctions where traffic lights were inoperative, and crackdowns on opportunist crimes.

[The voice of a dispatched unit officer] Aiming to conduct activities that deliver a smile and peace of mind

Midori Kato, Senior Police Officer, Special Patrol, Community Police Affairs Division, Shiogama Police Station, Miyagi Prefecture (Assigned from the Aichi Prefectural Police)

I felt the desire to help the affected areas and do something for the victims, so I came to Miyagi prefecture for the first time in July 2011 to engage in volunteer work. The scene of devastation that greeted me was heartbreaking and I was lost for words. I was experiencing a strong feeling that I wanted to do more for the victims, when a recruitment call for a special assignment to the affected areas was posted, so, without hesitation, I submitted a request for this assignment.

At present, the activities I am engaged in focus on “Fureai” (contact) activities, getting to understand the needs of victims, searching for missing persons and patrolling the affected areas.

I continue activities everyday strongly hoping to deliver a smile or a sense of security to those who are still living with uncertainty. The smiles of the people living in the affected areas motivate me to continue my work.

Section 2: Restructuring the Disaster-related Crisis Management System

1 Review of Disaster Countermeasures based on Responses to the Great East Japan Earthquake

(1) Establishment of the Examination Committee to Disaster

The Examination Committee to Disaster, headed by the Deputy Commissioner General of the NPA, was established in November 2011, in order to conduct a wide-ranging review of disaster countermeasures of the police, based on the inadequacies and lessons learnt from the earthquake, various government policies, and other matters. The committee is currently engaged in a cross-sectional review, undertaking activities such as the compilation of priority review items for the restructuring of the crisis management system. In