(5) Preventive measures against volcanic landslides

1) Measures against sediment disasters induced by active volcanic activities

As a measure against wide-area and large-scale sediment disasters (e.g. volcanic mud-flow and mud-flood) induced by active volcanic activities (e.g. volcanic eruption), the development of sabo dams is being carried out. In Sakurajima, the continuous monitoring and observation as well as the stone removal of sabo dams are being implemented because there is a tendency for mud-flood occurrences due to the continuous active volcanic eruptions in 2009, though there has been little continuous rainfall since September. Additionally, medium-scale volcanic eruptions can happen anytime in Asamayama and investigations are taking place to be ready for smoothly performing the necessary urgent measures against the possibility of future active volcanic eruptions.

## 2 ) Formulating the preventive plan on emergency damage reduction measures against volcanic eruptions

In order to reduce the damage induced by sediment disasters during volcanic eruptions, the formulation of the plan on the emergency damage reduction measures against volcanic eruptions consisting of both structural and non-structural measures are being pushed forward. The measures include emergency structural measures implementation and the emergency measure of risky district setup through real-time hazard maps of each volcano with the cooperation of related organizations.

## (6) Measures against tsunamis, tidal waves and erosion

## 1 ) Promotion of comprehensive measures against tsunamis and tidal waves

Influenced by the large-scale damage of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean and Hurricane Katrina in America, comprehensive hard and soft measures against tsunamis and tidal waves are being pushed forward. In FY 2009, according to the urgent project on the measures against decrepit coastal embankments, the examination of decrepit facilities, the formulation of the plan on measures against decrepit facilities and corresponding constructions based on the plan are being pushed forward comprehensively.

## 2 ) Measures against tidal waves

In February of 2008, influenced by flood damage due to violent tidal waves in Toyama Prefecture, the inspection of the mechanism dealing with disaster and the review of the appropriate way of future measures are carried out. According to the opinions on measures against damage induced by tidal waves in both hard and soft aspects, the related measures are being pushed forward.

## 3 ) Promotion of measures against coastal erosion

Due to the reduction of sand supply and changes of the land stream flowing towards the coast caused by different structural constructions, coastal erosion occurs in different regions of the country. Especially in recent years, the erosion is progressing at a fast pace. Cooperating with different business operators of river, coast, harbor and fishing ports, the measures for removing the abnormal accumulation of sand as well as measures against coastal erosion are being pushed forward.

## 4 ) Promotion of measures against tsunami for the ships in the port

The “Conference of measures against tsunami for ships” was established with a focus on the specified ports (84 ports) stated in the Act on Port Regulations. Under the cooperation of related organizations, the refinement of the measures against tsunamis for ships in these ports is being worked out.

## (7) Measures against climatic change

As a result of global warming, a rise in temperature, an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall and the strength of typhoons, and a rise in sea level are projected. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate appropriate measures for reducing the negative effects caused by flooding, landslide and storm surge disasters, regardless of the scale of mitigation measures that will be implemented over the coming 20-30 years. For flood control and port policies, the related organizations share responsibilities and aim for the development of a strong and sustainable society that is able to deal with disasters through the implementation of measures focused on regional development and risk management, in addition to preventive facility development from the long-term view.

## (8) Measures against earthquakes

## 1 ) Seismic retrofitting and safety improvement of residential housing and buildings

Based on the revised “Act on Promotion of Seismic Retrofitting of Buildings”, the target ratio of the buildings that have undergone seismic retrofitting is prescribed in the national basic policy, which is to increase from the 75% recorded in 2003 to at least 90% by 2015. Moreover, the promotion of the reinforcement of instructions regarding buildings and planned seismic retrofitting is being worked out. In FY 2009, according to the secure residential housing/building stock formation project, support is being provided to various measures including an increase in the subsidiary rate towards the seismic retrofitting of residential housing/buildings, the assistance for projects that contribute to the system development for sustained measures of regional public organizations and the seismic retrofitting promotion of residential housing/buildings such as the 5-year