## (2) Construction of air safety systems for safe air transportation

## 1 ) Strengthening the measures against runway incursion

In order to prevent the recurrence of incidents of runways incursion, both software and hardware measures are being pushed forward including the prevention of communication problems between the controller and the pilot, and the development of a system for the controller and the pilot to communicate the situation visually. Furthermore, through getting the advice from external experts, further measures for preventing recurrences are being put together and are being implemented firmly.

## 2 ) Preventive measures against colliding with birds in airport

In order to prevent the accidents caused by colliding with birds, bird patrols are being implemented for guarding against birds. Moreover, the monitoring system on the behavior of birds is being enhanced through the implementation of the new “investigation for specifying bird type according to DNA/feather identification” and further preventive measures against colliding with birds are being implemented.

### 5. Identification of the causes of aircraft, railway and marine accidents/incidents for prevention of their recurrence

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) published an investigation report on an aircraft fire in August 2007 at Naha Airport. It was considered highly probable that it occurred through the following causal chain: When the aircraft retracted its slats, the detachment downstop assembly punctured a hole in the track can, hence resulting in the fuel leakage and fire. JTSB issued the safety recommendation on supervision to the government of the state of manufacture and others related to preparing maintenance job instructions for airlines and the others.

In addition, JTSB published an investigation report on a railway accident with material damages that happened in Kanagawa Prefecture in February 2008. It was considered highly probable that it occurred because of abnormal power running and not based on the driver's operation of a master controller. JTSB stated opinions to the Minister of MLIT that the railway business operators and the rolling stock manufacturers should share information on train's malfunction for the noise and accumulate the know-how of failure prevention etc.

Moreover, JTSB published an investigation report on sinking of a recreational fishing vessel that occurred in September 2008 off the coast of Niigata Prefecture. It was considered possible that it occurred from the broken of bolts on an inspection window located at the bottom of the ship due to the engine vibration, separating the window from the ship. JTSB stated opinions to the Director General of the Fisheries Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on the instruction of inspections before leaving port against recreational fishing vessel business operators.

Furthermore, best efforts are being put into prevention of the recurrence of similar accidents through publishing the quarterly newsletter, which includes the outline of investigation reports and lessons learned from accident/incident investigations.

### 6. Safety Measures for Road Transportation

The number of fatalities caused by traffic accidents in 2009 has continued decreasing over the past nine years and has decreased to 4,000 persons throughout the past 57 years since 1952. However, the number of senior citizens above 65 years old in the total number of fatalities caused by traffic accidents is about 50%. Therefore, for carrying out measures against traffic accidents according to road characteristics, various measures are being pushed forward including focused measures applied in districts with a high frequency of traffic accidents, the development of pedestrian spaces on the road for students to go to school, and the development of bicycle riding environments.

Transition in the Number of Accidents and Casualties etc.

## (1) Focused implementation of measures against traffic accidents on main expressways and everyday roads

Concerning main expressways, accidents are concentrated in particular sections. Therefore, listening to regional opinions, projects are being carried out intensively in the districts with a high frequency of traffic accident, including “accident black spots”. With regard to everyday roads, in order to form safe and secure pedestrian priority walking spaces, projects are being carried out intensively on roads connecting to schools with a high usage frequency by secondary school students and a high frequency of traffic accidents, including the project on “Anxiety-free Walking Area” and “Residential Street Zone”.