enabling quick response when disasters happen. In addition, during disasters, the operational headquarters is established for quick and accurate response through surveying damage conditions by patrol vessels and aircraft; and carrying out rescue activities.

(5) Enhancement of the monitoring and information announcing system for earthquake and volcanic activity

## 1 ) Measures taken by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

## (A) Measures against earthquakes and tsunamis

In order to prevent and reduce damage caused by earthquakes and tsunamis, national seismic activities are monitored by a 24-hour system and best efforts are put into quick and accurate announcements on Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami alerts and information on earthquakes and tsunamis. In FY 2009, JMA started to utilize tide level data provided by the six GPS ocean wave meters of the Ports and Harbors Bureau and the five tidal stations of the Ports and Harbors Bureau and the Japan Coast Guard for tsunami information, and the corresponding observation points of GPS ocean wave meters and the tidal stations monitored by JMA are respectively, eight and 165, in number.

## (B) Earthquake Early Warnings

Based on the revised “Meteorological Service Act”, JMA has provided the Earthquake Early Warnings as advanced announcements of earthquakes. By the end of December 2009, the Earthquake Early Warnings (alert) of 12 earthquakes was announced and was provided to citizens through the media such as television and radio. For protecting lives from the earthquake, it is important to frequently carry out exercises, so the nationwide trainings were carried out in June and December of the same year. Especially in the training held in December, the Earthquake Early Warning for training use was delivered to part of the public users in addition to the central and local governments for the first time. Moreover, in August of the same year, new observation points were utilized and the magnitude estimation equation was implemented for quickening the Earthquake Early Warning and increasing accuracy.

## (C) Measures against volcanoes

In order to prevent and reduce the damage caused by volcanic eruptions, 4 Volcanic Observation and Information Centers continuously watch the active volcanoes in Japan, and aim to issue Volcanic Warnings and other related information promptly and accurately. From August 2009, JMA has installed observation instruments, including borehole-type seismometers, tiltmeters and others for 47 active volcanoes, for which it is recommended that they enhance the monitoring and observation system by the Coordinating Committee for Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions.

## 2 ) Measures by the Japan Coast Guard

## (A) Monitoring of crustal movement

The Japan Coast Guard is carrying out seafloor geodetic observation on the landward side of the Japan Trench, the Sagami Trough and the Nankai Trough, which are focal regions of large earthquakes, and also carrying out GPS observation in the islands of the South Kanto area to contribute to seismic and volcanic research.

## (B) Observations concerning activities of submarine volcanoes

The Japan Coast Guard is conducting observations of precursors to eruptions by submarine volcanoes, such as colored sea water, for the purpose of providing corresponding information to mariners. In addition, the Japan Coast Guard is carrying out comprehensive surveys to compile basic information on volcanoes in sea areas, which is the base data for the prediction of eruptions by submarine volcanoes.

## 3 ) Measures taken by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI)

## (1) Strengthening the observation and monitoring of diastrophism

GSI has established 1240 GPS-based control stations throughout the country. They are research facilities for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These points enable us to monitor crustal movement in real time. Furthermore, diastrophism monitoring is strengthened through “Daichi”, the Advanced Land Observing Satellite.

## (2) Investigation of natural disasters caused

by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

From the achievement of land observation including GPS,