Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## CONTENTS

Volume 1. Land Transport
Part 1. Road Transport
Chapter 1. Trends in Road Traffic Accidents ..... 5
Long-term trends in road traffic accidents, etc ..... 5
1. Long-term trends in road traffic accidents ..... 5
2. Decrease in fatalities and strategy for the future ..... 6
Road traffic accidents in 2002 ..... 6
1. Overview ..... 6
2. Traffic accident fatalities and injuries by age group ..... 6
3. Traffic accident fatalities and injuries by road user type ..... 6
4. Traffic accident fatalities by seat belt use ..... 6
5. Traffic accident fatalities by child safety seat use ..... 8
6. Number of fatal accidents by primary party ..... 8
Chapter 2. The State of Road Traffic Safety Measures ..... 8
1. Promotion of traffic safety facility improvement ..... 8
2. Construction of the Intelligent Transport System ..... 9
3. Promotion of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ..... 9
4. Traffic safety education for the elderly ..... 9
5. Thorough instruction in correct use of seat belts and child safety seats ..... 10
6. Enhancement of driver's education ..... 10
7. Enhancement of operational management by trucking business operators ..... 10
8. Providing information on motor vehicle assessments ..... 11
9. Improvement of automobile inspection system ..... 11
10. Improvement to vehicle recall systems ..... 11
11. Improvement to automobile liability security system ..... 11
Part 2. Railway Transport ..... 12
Chapter 1. Trends in Railway Traffic Accidents ..... 12
Chapter 2. The State of Railway Safety Measures ..... 13
1. Improvement to railway track facilities and operational safety systems ..... 13
2. Examination of safety by competent offices ..... 13
3. Investigation of railway accidents and measures to prevent future accidents ..... 13
4. Measures to prevent accidents at railway crossings ..... 13
Volume 2. Maritime Transport
Chapter 1. Trends in Maritime Accidents ..... 14
Chapter 2. The State of Maritime Traffic Safety Measures ..... 14
Volume 3. Air Transport
Chapter 1. Trends in Aviation Accidents ..... 17
Chapter 2. The State of Air Traffic Safety Measures ..... 17
### Part 1. Road Transport

### Chapter 1. Trends in Road Traffic Accidents

Long-term trends in road traffic accidents, etc.

### 1. Long-term trends in road traffic accidents

The annual number of fatalities resulting from road traffic accidents in Japan peaked in 1970 at 16,765. To address concerns about the alarming death toll on the nation's roads, the Traffic Safety Policies Law was enacted in that same year. Based on the new law, in FY1971 the government began drawing up five-year plans, known as Fundamental Traffic Safety Programs, to systematically promote traffic safety improvements.

Annual road traffic fatalities began to fall steadily in 1971 until they were down to 8,466 in 1979. The yearly death toll began to rise in the following year and exceeded 9,000 yearly in the 1982-1987 period, followed by eight consecutive years of over 10,000 road deaths. In 1995 the toll started to fall, dipping below 10,000 in 1996.

In 2002, road traffic fatalities amounted to 8,326, or less than half of the number for 1970, the worst year on record. A total of 936,721 road traffic accidents occurred, resulting in 1,176,181 casualties. (See Fig. 1)

Figure 1 Changes in Road Traffic Accidents, Casualties and Fatalities

Notes: 1. Source: National Police Agency

2. Figures after 1966 do not include property-damage-only accidents.

3. Figures for Okinawa Prefecture were not included before 1972.
### 2. Decrease in fatalities and strategy for the future

As the number of fatalities in 2002 was 8,326, the seventh Fundamental Traffic Safety Program’s goal of reducing the annual death rate to 8,466 or lower by 2005 was achieved in the program’s second year.

It is necessary to continue vigorously implementing various safety measures under the program, and to comprehensively promote measures for the elderly based on the “Comprehensive Traffic Safety Initiatives for the Elderly in Response to a Rapidly Aging Society” established by the Task Force on Transportation on March 27, 2003.

## Road traffic accidents in 2002

### 1. Overview

In 2002 a total of 936,721 road traffic accidents occurred in Japan, resulting in 8,326 fatalities and 1,167,855 injuries.

The number of fatalities declined to a level less than half of that of the worst year, 1970, the numbers of accidents and injuries began falling for the first time in 12 years.

### 2. Traffic accident fatalities and injuries by age group

In 2002 road traffic accidents claimed 3,144 deaths, or 37.8% of the total, among the elderly (65 and older), marking the tenth straight year in which the elderly accounted for more road fatalities than any other age group. Youths (16-24 year olds) accounted for the second highest proportion of fatalities with 1,316 deaths, or 15.8% of the total. Together, these two age groups accounted for 53.6% of all traffic fatalities. (See Fig. 2)

Also, the 16-24 age group topped the list of injuries with 249,902 injuries or 21.4% of the total. In comparison with 2001 figures, the number of injuries noticeably decreased for the age groups 16-24, 25-29, and 40-49, but markedly rose for those 65 and older and the 30-39 age group.

### 3. Traffic accident fatalities and injuries by road user type

Motor vehicle occupants (drivers and passengers) led the list of road fatalities by type of road user, with 3,438 deaths, or 41.3% of the total. (See Fig. 3)

Likewise, motor vehicle occupants topped the list of injuries by road user type, with 721,137 injuries, or 61.7% of the total.

### 4. Traffic accident fatalities by seat belt use

Of all motor vehicle occupants killed or injured in road traffic accidents, the proportion wearing seat belts (ratio of seat belt-wearing casualties to total casualties) has risen steadily since 1993, reaching 87.2% in 2002.

The fatality rate (ratio of fatalities to total casualties) among seat belt wearers was approximately eleven times lower than that for people not wearing belts. (See Fig. 4)

### 6 Volume 1. Land Transport
Figure 2 Changes in Traffic Accident Fatalities by Age Group

Notes: 1. Source: National Police Agency

2. Figures in parentheses show percentage (%) of fatalities by age group.

Figure 3 Changes in Traffic Accident Fatalities by Road User Type

Note: 1. Source: National Police Agency (figures for "Other" omitted)

2. Figures in parentheses show percentage (\%) of fatalities by road user type.
Figure 4 Changes in Fatality Rates for Motor Vehicle Occupants in Traffic Accidents by Seat Belt Use, and Changes in Proportion of Motor Vehicle Occupant Casualties Wearing Seat Belts in Accidents

### 5. Traffic accident fatalities by child safety seat use

There were 35 children under 6 years old killed while riding in motor vehicles. Excluding the 20 deaths that occurred in heavily damaged vehicles, three of the children had been restrained by child safety seats, while the remaining twelve had not.

### 6. Number of fatal accidents by primary party

The number of fatal accidents in which motor vehicle drivers are the primary party $ ^{*} $ is steadily declining. However, an age group study shows that the number of fatal accidents in which elderly drivers (65 and older) are the primary party has increased by a factor of 2.97 between 1989 and 2002.

*The party most to blame for the accident, or, when the parties involved are about equally at fault, the party that suffers the least harm and damage.

### Chapter 2. The State of Road Traffic Safety Measures

### 1. Promotion of traffic safety facility improvement

The following projects were implemented in FY2002, the final year of the Seven-Year Program for Provision of Traffic Safety Facilities.

1) Extensive improvements to intersections and other measures were carried out in accident-prone “black spots” identified as having urgent safety problems. Other improvements included construction of medians, installation of traffic signals in areas of high traffic accident risk;

### 8 Volume 1. Land Transport
upgrading of existing traffic signal systems through the use of centralized control and systematization and making road signs brighter, larger, and variable. In addition, new improvement initiatives were taken, such as the installation of kilo-posts (distance markers), speed restriction systems, and improved road lighting and road delineators for preventing nighttime accidents.

2) Efforts were made to help the elderly and disabled to lead more independent and socially active lives, such as the creation of wide, flat pedestrian walkways and the installation of traffic signals with audio guidance, particularly in areas around railway stations and other widely used public facilities. The addition of features such as elevators at busy traffic junctions was also promoted.

In addition, the following steps were taken: the visibility of traffic signs and landmarks were upgraded for the benefit of elderly drivers, roads that children use to walk to school and kindergarten were redesigned to ensure safety, and pedestrian walkways and traffic squares were recreated to make them function integrally as part of roadways and as safety facilities.

3) In order to minimize the intermingling of vehicles and pedestrians in the road at traffic signal-controlled intersections, systems in which vehicles and pedestrians are alternately given the right of way were installed at 100 model intersections across Japan. Based on the results of this project, a strategy for installation and operation of these systems elsewhere was developed.

### 2. Construction of the Intelligent Transport System

Research and development, field-testing, and infrastructure development were carried out in accordance with the plan formulated in 1996 for establishing a comprehensive ITS (Intelligent Transport System), an advanced information technology-based system that integrates people, roads, and vehicles to improve safety, transport efficiency, and other qualities of road transportation.

### 3. Promotion of Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

The national and local governments have carried out measures to expand traffic capacity, and promoted more advanced traffic control. In addition, they have promoted Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures to increase transport efficiency and balance traffic flows across time and space. This is being done by encouraging innovative road-use practices such as “park and ride,” improving distribution of information, promoting car-pooling, staggering workplace and school commuting hours and introducing flex-time systems at more workplaces. In addition, in FY2001 the authentication system was introduced for TDM demonstration trials that local authorities conduct to adjust traffic flow and volume, and for trials that private-sector businesses conduct for the improvement of transport business. In FY2002 such trials were authenticated in 3 areas.

### 4. Traffic safety education for the elderly

A variety of community-led traffic safety guidance programs were provided for elderly
### 7. Enhancement of operational management by trucking business operators

Transportation safety rules for the trucking business were revised in response to the abolishment of operational zone restrictions on the trucking business through the April 2003 implementation of the Law Partially Revising the Railway Enterprise Law and Other Regulations (2002, Act No. 77). The new safety rules included more stringent roll call-taking for long-haul drivers. In addition, the standards for administrative disposition of drunken driving were toughened, and other administrative punishment standards were raised in response to the enactment of the above law.

### 8. Providing information on motor vehicle assessments

Information was provided on the results of comparative tests on automobile collision safety, the extent to which automobiles are fitted with air bags and other safety devices, and the results of comparative safety testing on child safety seats, as well as other assessments.

### 9. Improvement of automobile inspection system

As a result of a partial revision of the Road Transportation Vehicle Law in July 2002, illicit modification of vehicles was prohibited, and the system for ordering the repair of non-compliant vehicles was reinforced.

### 10. Improvement to vehicle recall systems

Efforts have been made to ensure more effective operation of vehicle recall systems. These include the widespread collection of information about motor vehicle defects from motorists, through the use of an information hotline for reporting vehicle defects, and measures designed to promptly identify vehicles that need to be recalled, through rapid analysis of large volumes of collected information. Furthermore, in April 2001 the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport began publishing information on vehicle defects from motorists on its website as part of its efforts to intensify information gathering.

### 11. Improvement to automobile liability security system

The Law Partially Revising the Automobile Liability Security Law and the Automobile Liability Reinsurance Special Accounting Law, put into effect on April 1, 2002, provides greater protection for traffic accident victims by obliging insurance companies to fully disclose information on traffic accidents to victims, and introducing a new system for dealing with disputes by setting up a new dispute processing body.

Under the Cabinet Ordinance Partially Revising the Ordinance on Enforcement of the Automobile Liability Security Law and Other Regulations, the insurance benefit ceiling was raised as of April 2002 for people who suffer serious disabilities in traffic accidents and require nursing.
### Part 2. Railway Transport

### Chapter 1. Trends in Railway Traffic Accidents

The long-term decline in the number of railway accidents continues, as a consequence of a comprehensive safety strategy involving measures to prevent railway-crossing accidents, installation and upgrading of operational safety systems, improvements to control equipment, and higher training standards for crews. In 2002, a total of 851 railway accidents occurred, resulting in 819 casualties (344 fatalities). (See Fig. 5)

Figure 5 Changes in Railway Accidents and Casualties

Note: 1. Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

2. Fatalities are defined as deaths occurring within 24 hours of an accident.

Railway crossing accidents (448 accidents) accounted for approximately half of all railway traffic accidents, although this proportion continues its long-term decline.
### Chapter 2. The State of Railway Safety Measures

### 1. Improvement to railway track facilities and operational safety systems

In order to realize greater operational safety for smaller local railways, general inspections were carried out on tunnels, bridges, and other railway facilities to assess their safety. Moreover, train operational safety systems were improved through the enhancement of Centralized Train Control (CTC) systems and wider installation of Automatic Train Stop (ATS) systems.

### 2. Examination of safety by competent offices

Competent offices have carried out effective and flexible safety audits of railway facilities, trains, safety management systems, and other vital elements of railway safety.

In addition, guidance was provided on safety measures for conditions in which trains are permitted to pass stop signals, as a response to the train collision that occurred on the JR Kagoshima Line in February 2002. Guidance was also given on thorough safety management, including reconfirmation of emergency procedures for railway accidents and prevention of secondary accidents, as a response to the November 2002 accident in which a fire department rescue worker was struck and killed by a train while attempting to rescue a junior high school student who had been hit and injured by an earlier train.

### 3. Investigation of railway accidents and measures to prevent future accidents

The Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation Committee, reorganized on October 1, 2001, published a report on its comprehensive analysis of the causes of railway accidents and the warning signs of potential accidents (serious incidents). In addition, efforts to prevent future railway accidents were made by collecting and organizing accident information reported in accordance with accident report regulations and by sharing that information with railway operators and other concerned parties.

### 4. Measures to prevent accidents at railway crossings

Based on the Railway Crossing Improvement Promotion Law (1961, Act No. 195) and the Seventh Comprehensive Crossing Accident Prevention Measures, projects were implemented to build overpasses and underpasses (thus to eliminate level crossings), carry out structural improvements, and install new safety equipment. As of the end of FY2001, the crossings designated for improvement under the above law included 2,099 sites requiring overpass/underpass construction, 3,893 requiring structural improvement, and 27,613 requiring new safety equipment, and work was continued to accomplish these improvements. At the same time, efforts were continued to consolidate crossings.
### Chapter 1. Trends in Maritime Accidents

In 2002, a total of 2,837 vessels were involved in maritime accidents, and 183 people were killed or reported as missing as a result of these accidents. (See Fig. 6) Also, 138 people died or became missing at sea after falling overboard.

The growth of marine leisure activity in recent years has been accompanied by a rise in maritime accidents involving pleasure boats and other recreational vessels. Although the number of recreational vessels involved in these accidents declined by 132 from the preceding year’s total of 1,136, they still account for 40% of all vessels in maritime accidents.

Fishing vessel accidents were responsible for the largest number of deaths and missing persons resulting from maritime accidents (53% of total) and from falling overboard (59% of total).

### Chapter 2. The State of Maritime Traffic Safety Measures

1. Under the ninth Seven-Year Port Development Plan (1996-2002), selected waterways were developed, and improvements were made to ports and harbors, including enhancement of their earthquake resistance. In accordance with the Long-term Development Plan for Fishing Ports and Areas, improvements were made to fishing port/area facilities to promote greater safety for fishing vessels.

2. For congested waters, the government has introduced special traffic rules, waterway travel requirements, and improved the Maritime Traffic Information System, a system of centralizing the issue of maritime traffic-related information and traffic control. Progress was made in a seaway improvement project at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, and in other projects aimed at the construction of maritime seaway networks, which would provide an environment of greater safety and efficiency for maritime traffic.

3. On April 1, 2002, the Japanese geodesic system of latitude and longitude used in maritime charts was replaced with a system based on international standards. Since this change increased the potential for vessel groundings and other maritime accidents, the FY2002 National Awareness Campaign for Maritime Accident Prevention included as one of its focal tasks educational activities for promoting the correct usage of international geodesic system-based maritime charts in ship position plotting.

4. Under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (the SOLAS treaty), a large-scale review was conducted on safety standards related to shipboard equipment for navigational

### 14 Volume 2. Maritime Transport
safety, such as carrying of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), which are based on recent technological innovations. The resulting amendments went into force in July 2002, and Japan's related laws and ship inspection systems were revised in response to the changes.

5. Japan’s laws were revised to reflect the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) prescription for construction of double-hull tankers, issued in a revision to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) that took effect in September 2002.

6. As the International Safety Management Code (ISM) fully went into force in July 2002, efforts were made in Japan to develop the groundwork for smooth implementation of the ISM and to improve the systems for foreign vessel monitoring (Port State Control).

7. The Law Concerning Registration, Etc. of Small Vessels (2001, Act No. 102), defining the system of registration for notarizing ownership of non-fishing vessels under 20 tons gross (hereafter, “small vessels”), went into force in April 2002. This law is designed to make the registration process easier for small vessel owners and help resolve the problem of abandoned boats.

8. A special logo, “Uku-zo,” was adopted as a tool for conveying to marine leisure enthusiasts the necessity of wearing life jackets. (“Uku-zo”, which sounds like a boy’s name, is a play on words that means “floating elephant” or “you will float!”)

9. The Law Partially Revising the Ship Crew Law was promulgated in June 2002 (entering into force in June 2003) to reorganize the system of crew qualifications, clearly define the responsibilities of small vessel captains, and make other changes designed to respond to the needs of small vessel operators and to improve safety for small vessel travel.

10. A model project for the Marine Road Vision, which is aimed at developing an environment that encourages pleasure boat operators to assume greater personal responsibility and safety awareness when cruising, was conducted for Tokyo Bay and nearby waterways.

11. In order to provide for the rapid and proper rescue of ill or injured persons at sea, the rapid-response rescue system was enhanced by the establishment of a mobile sea rescue team at a base at Fukuoka Airport. The team members fly to accident sites by helicopter to carry out hoist-assisted extractions, underwater operations, and other emergency rescue procedures. Moreover, in an effort to reduce the number of fatalities and missing persons resulting from falling overboard and other maritime accidents, a campaign was aggressively conducted to promote self-rescue measures, such as the wearing of life jackets at all times, preparation of a personal means of communication (cell phones, etc.), and the effective use of the phone number for requesting emergency assistance “118”.

### 16 Volume 2. Maritime Transport