Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Meeting.

## (2) Measures against violent attacks through the Civil Protection Plan

MLIT, the Geographical Survey Institute, the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Japan Coast Guard have prescribed the “Civil Protection Plan $ ^{1} $ ” based on the “the Law concerning the Measures for Protection of People in Armed Attack Situations, etc” and the “Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People”, which describe the measures for evacuation, rescue and damage minimization during violent attacks. In response to the request from local governments, MLIT coordinates with designated public institutions in order to provide sufferers support such as transportation. The Japan Coast Guard also carries out search and rescue activities and also provides transportation for sufferers and emergency supplies when the designated public institutes cannot achieve sufficient activities.

### 6. Measures against Pandemic Influenza

Recently, Avian Influenza has been spreading, especially in South-East Asia and fatal cases caused by human infection are being reported. It is feared that this unusual virus variation of human-to-human infection will spread internationally and that it has the social effect of serious health damage. Under such circumstances, a strain of pandemic influenza (A/H1N1) was found in Mexico in April 2009. In May, it was spreading within Mexico and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the warning level for the strain of influenza was raised to Phase 6, which indicates “pandemic”. As a measure against this pandemic, MLIT established action headquarters and compiled infection prevention measures, as well as taking measures towards the administered parties, encouraging them to plan action manuals.

Additionally, as a measure against Avian Influenza (H5N1) from birds, the measure promotion headquarters and the “Action Plan on the MLIT measures against pandemic influenza” are being established. Moreover, in December 2009, the “MLIT plan on business continuity for pandemic influenza” was formulated, which prescribes the appropriate operation system during the occurrence of influenza.

The Japan Coast Guard has also established the “Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Action Plan of Japan Coast Guard”. In addition, the “Japan Coast Guard business continuity plan for pandemic influenza” was laid down.

Furthermore, the Policy Research Institute of MLIT conducted research on preventive measures against the spread of pandemic influenza infection in railway transportation in cooperation with the related institutes and economic organizations.
## Chapter 7: Creating and Preserving a Beautiful and Favorable Environment

## Section 1 – Promotion of Measures against Global Warming

### 1. Implementation of a Target Achievement Plan on the Kyoto Protocol

In 1997, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the 3 Parties adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which obligated our country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. $ CO_{2} $ ) by 6% below FY 1990 levels between FY 2008 – FY 2012.

For achieving this target, the target-achievement plan (the Cabinet revised all on 28 $ ^{th} $ March 2008) on the Kyoto Protocol prescribes the target value for each division such as transportation and social divisions (family and other business divisions), as well as pushing forward the following measures in order to make doubly sure to achieve the reduction target.

● The transportation division carries out 1) measures for individual automobiles and development of an environmentally-friendly running style; 2) measures against traffic flow; 3) the efficiency enhancement of logistics; 4) the promotion of using public transport; 5) the improvement of energy-consumption efficiency of railways, ships and airways.

● In the aspect of residential housing and construction in social divisions, the enhancement of heat-insulating functionality and the efficiency of appliances (e.g. air-conditioning) is being carried out.

For realizing in-compact city formations, city greening measures such as new energy and energy-saving measures in sewerage, as well as the maximization of burning effects and greenhouse gas absorption.

● The popularization of low energy-consuming construction machinery in the industrial division is being pushed forward.

## Measures against Global Warming Conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Business", support is being provided to regional measures regarding the bus location system and IC card, as well as to work on the popularization of EST to the whole country.

# Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Transportation (EST)

• 27 EST model areas were selected between 2004 and 2006 that are expected to lead the realization of EST by promoting the use of public transportation and streamlining car traffic, and have been strongly supported by the related ministries and departments.

• The efforts are to shift from the leading projects of the 27 models areas to nationwide EST promotion in the future.

(5) Improvement of the energy-consumption efficiency of railways, ships and airways

1) Promotion of railway system development for contributing to environmentally-friendly energy saving

Energy-saving trains (e.g. hybrid locomotives) and technology development (e.g. highly efficient electric facilities) are being pushed forward.

2) Integrated measures towards the greening of marine transportation

The “10 mode index for ships $ ^{1} $ ” is the ship net fuel cost indicator. Applying it to domestic marine transportation, promoting energy-saving ships $ ^{2} $ through introduction of new technology, and unifying measures including modal shift promotion, super eco-ship popularizing promotion and the marine environmental initiatives $ ^{3} $ in overseas transportation, the $ CO_{2} $ emissions reduction from marine transportation is being pushed forward and the support on energy-saving ship construction is also being incorporated in the supplementary budget of FY 2009.

## 3 ) Measures for $ CO_{2} $ emissions reduction in aviation

Eco-airport development is being pushed forward through the introduction of Area Navigation (RNAV) routes for enabling the shortening of flight times and routes and UPR types for the flight pilot to fly at the most efficient ideal height; the sophistication of aviation safety systems such as raising the category of the Instrument Landing System for changing the destination (divert) due to heavy fog and reducing air waiting; and the application promotion of the Ground Power Unit (GPU) for aircraft. Moreover the regulating institutions and Airlines are cooperating and reinforcing international measures, such as participating in the “Asia and Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions” (ASPIRE) that aims for efficient navigation.
stated in the target-achievement plan for sewerage is 2.16 million tons.

## (4) Promotion of measures regarding $ CO_{2} $ -sinks through urban greening

For firmly accomplishing the target achievement plan on the Kyoto Protocol, based on the Master Plan on Greenery stipulated by municipalities for conserving and creating green areas comprehensively, the development of urban parks, greening in roads, rivers, ports, sewerage treatment facilities, residential housing and government facilities and also private land greening through the Authorized System of the Greening Facility Development Plan are being actively pushed forward.

## (5) Measures against global warming in urban district development

## 1 ) Urban district development

Urban districts with a high energy demand density are unitarily utilizing the urban district development projects and the eco-district network development projects in order to push forward $ CO_{2} $ reduction in terms of energy usage.

2) District development through utilization of environment-compatible vehicles

In order to realize environmentally-friendly urban transport, utilize environment-compatible vehicles (especially electric buses, electric automobiles and ultra-mini mobility) and promote low-carbon district development, in FY 2009, the government, in cooperation with regional public organizations, pushed forward measures for formulating the technology standards of district development through utilizing environment-compatible vehicles.

## Section 2 – Promotion for the Formation of a Recycling Society

### 1. Promotion of Construction Recycling

The proportion of construction refuse is about 20% of the total quantity of industrial refuse, about 30% of the quantity of

final disposal and about 80% of the illegal dumping quantity. Therefore, promotion of recycling is an important issue for controlling these. In FY 2007, the quantity of construction refuse was 77 million tons in the country. Although the recycling rate for FY 2008 (93.7%) was higher than that for FY 2005 (92.2%), it is still necessary to continue the effort for ensuring the high level of the recycling rate.

Regarding the refuse of sewage sludge, its quantity is also about 20% of the industrial refuse quantity and the quantity in FY 2007 was 80 million tons. Therefore, the reduction of this refuse and the promotion of recycling are being worked on.
(2) Active preservation, regeneration and creation of favorable environments

Through the effective utilization of dredged sand and mud produced during port development for tideland creation and sand capping, the preservation, regeneration and creation of rich and natural coastal environments is being carried out. Moreover, at the same time, to develop a lively and beautiful port space, the development of water-friendly wooded areas that are compatible with natural environments is taking place.

(3) Review and enhancement of the implementation method of environmental measures

In projects on the preservation, regeneration and creation of natural environments, progress after the projects start is being monitored continuously and result-reviews and accommodating management methods are also being introduced.

Additionally, various parties (e.g. administrative institutions, research institutes and the general public) are registering environmental data and constructing a marine environment database for facilitating data sharing. Database accumulation and content enhancement are being worked out as well.

Moreover, “Coastal Natural Schools” is being established throughout the country for carrying out nature experiences and environmental education utilizing coastal natural environments.

### 5. Promotion of Measures for Road Greening and Natural Environments

CO $ _{2} $ absorption can help to prevent global warming and reduce the environmental burden. Therefore, road greening for developing favorable scenery and the creation of moist road spaces is in progress. Additionally, during road project planning, design and implementation, places with valuable natural environments are eliminated from the project as much as possible. In unavoidable situations, the effects should be minimized and alternative measures for working out the preservation and restoration of environments taken.

## Section 4 – Construction of Sound Hydrological Cycles

### 1. Efforts for Construction of Sound Hydrological Cycles through Cooperation with the Ministries and Government Offices

The related ministries and government communication conference regarding construction of Sound Hydrological Cycles announced the concept of the “realization of the planned development for construction of Sound Hydrological Cycles”. In order to encourage regional efforts, various forms of support are being provided with the cooperation of the related ministries and government offices.

2. Measures towards the Improvement of Water Environments

(1) Clear Stream Renaissance II

In the 34 rivers with severe deterioration of water environments in the country, municipalities actively working on the improvement of water environments, river administrators, and sewerage administrators are formulating and implementing the “2 $ ^{nd} $ Phase Water Environmental Improvement Urgent Action Plan” (designated 34 districts).

Clear stream renaissance II
## (2) Promotion of water purification

In rivers with severe deterioration in water quality, water purification including purified channeling water through integrated water system environmental development projects, integrated river environmental development projects, riverbed mud dredging, and river purification facility development are being carried out in Kasumigaura (Ibaraki Prefecture), Yamatogawa (Nara and Osaka Prefecture) etc. for ensuring clear water flow.

## (3) Examination of water quality and measures against water quality incidents

In addition to the preservation and restoration of favorable water environments, it is important to carry out water quality examinations in rivers, lakes, marshes, dams and reservoirs. In FY 2008, 109 water systems of 1,105 spots were examined.

• In the country's overview, the percentage of examined spots that satisfied the environmental standard of the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) value (or the COD value (Chemical Oxygen Demand)) in 2008 was 89% and it was the maximum value so far.

• Among the examined spots in rivers, the percentage of spots with good water quality (BOD $ \leq $ 3.0 mg/l) for the habitation of salmon and sweetfish was 94%.

• The environmental standard items (e.g. 26 items such as arsenic) regarding the health protection of humans: except for some items and spots the environmental standard is being met.

• Items that require monitoring (e.g. 27 items such as chloroform): all the items and examined spots satisfy the target value except manganese.

Changes of the BOD75% values in representative locations of the rivers in major cities

Source) "Survey on the Current State of the Water Quality of Class A Rivers in Japan", Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Furthermore, in cooperation with citizens, water quality examination map formation and water organism examination are being carried out. Moreover, based on the new water quality indicator that comprehensively evaluates rivers from diversified viewpoints, the result after the implementation of cooperative examinations in top-level rivers by local people is that rivers are good places in terms of abundant contact between humans and rivers even for those lower ranking rivers in the BOD average water quality ranking.

On the other hand, the number of river water quality incidents caused by the outflow of oil or chemical substances occurring in top-level river systems was 1,454 overall in 2008. Under the background of great concern on the water quality by river users and the enhancement of information communication systems, the Communication Council of Filthy Water Quality Prevention was established in all 109 river systems throughout the country, and best effort are being made towards quick communication during incidents and the prevention of damages through building oil fences.
### 4. Measures against Heat Islands

The heat island phenomenon refers to the tendency that the temperature of a metropolitan area is higher than that of its surrounding rural areas in an island form.

Watching the heat-island effect

Monitoring of the heat island phenomenon

Analyzing the impact of urbanization on the temperature increase

The long-term change trend of temperature and the number of tropical nights etc.

In the past 100 years, the global average temperature has increased by $ 0.7^{\circ}C $ while, in the metropolises in Japan, the average temperature has increased by $ 2 - 3^{\circ}C $ . Thus it can be said that the warming trend associated with the heat island phenomenon is remarkable at a local level comparing with the global warming trend. This heat island phenomenon is said to be caused by the increase in artificial heat emission from air conditioners etc, the decrease in green areas and water surfaces, and the increase of artificial ground cover.

In order to push forward comprehensive and effective measures against heat island under such a situation, specific measures for the related ministries and government offices are summarized on a system basis, setting the 4 targets including the reduction of artificial heat emissions based on the “Outline of the Policy Framework to Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect,” the improvement of covered earth surfaces, the reform of urban structures and the enhancement of lifestyle. MLIT is also intensively pushing forward measures, such as the systematic assurance of green and open spaces.

In order for central and local government organizations to promote effective measures against the heat-island effect, tools that enable the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of measures such as greenery development, artificial exhaust heat, building alignment and "wind passages."
# Scheme of Argo float observation

The Argo float put into the ocean by research vessels repeat a descent and ascent between near the sea surface and about 2,000 m depth to observe the vertical profile of the temperature and salinity of the sea water, and then observed data are transmitted automatically to operation centers through satellites. The cycle of an observation is about 10 days.

Dots on the map show the positions of each Argo float that has delivered their observed data within the latest month. 3,198 floats are active all over the world as of 15 February 2010 and 292 of them had been put into the ocean by Japan (shown by red dots).

Example case of the “Marine Diagnosis Report” provided on the website (Japanese) of the Japan Meteorological Agency

[Time-series representation of annual global average SST departures]

SST : Sea Surface Temperature

-The global average SST departure in 2009 was +0.23°C, which is ranked as the second highest since 1891.

- The annual global average SST departures have varied due to the variation of oceans/atmosphere ranging from a few years to several decades, and the impact of global warming. In terms of the long-term trend, it has been rising at a rate of about $ 0.5^{\circ} $ C per century, and we have often had a year with high temperatures exceeding the long-term trend especially since the last half of the 1990s.

## (4) Monitoring the ozone layer

In order to protect the ozone layer, which absorbs hazardous ultraviolet solar radiation, the production, consumption and trade of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone depleting substances are regulated in the international framework that includes the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes the observational and analytical results of the ozone layer and ultraviolet radiation annually. In order to provide warning of the negative effect of ultraviolet radiation on humans, it also releases information on ultraviolet radiation on a daily basis by using an easy to understand UV Index representing the intensity of ultraviolet radiation.

## (5) Promotion of regular observation in Antarctica

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan is implementing geodetic control point surveys, gravity surveys, continuous GPS observation, local crustal deformation monitoring, and topographic mapping by photogrammetry. The results are contributing to the research on the earth’s environmental change in the Antarctic region as well as the international activities regarding the geodesy and geographical information.

The Japan Meteorological Agency maintains the observation of the ozone layer, radiation and meteorological parameters on the surface and in the upper air at Syowa Station. The observed data has contributed to research on climate change and the monitoring of the ozone hole over Antarctica, supporting the formulation of international measures to protect the global environment.
The Japan Coast Guard is implementing seabed landform investigations. In addition, it is also implementing tidal observation and is contributing to the monitoring of changes in ocean surface water levels, which is closely related to global warming.

### 2. Projection of the Future Global Environment

## (1) Research on global warming

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Meteorological Research Institutes have been developing climate models for projecting climate change over the world and around Japan, and actively participating in international research projects such as the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). These research results were referred to in the $ 4^{th} $ assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and were released as the “Global Warming Projection”. IPCC is scheduled to issue the $ 5^{th} $ assessment report in 2013–2014. In addition, JMA will provide the next issue of “Global Warming Projection” that features climate projection at higher resolution. The Meteorological Research Institute, with this in mind, is developing a model that incorporates the carbon cycle process and the regional climate model to contribute to these activities.

## (2) Activities of the Tokyo Climate Center

In order to support the climate information provision service in the Asia-Pacific region, the Japan Meteorological Agency, as a Regional Climate Center of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is providing information on the monitoring of extreme events, long-term forecasts and global warming projections to the meteorological services of Asian countries and is also providing technical support for the utilization of such information.

### 3. Promotion of the Global Mapping Project and the global survey and observation network

Japan is leading the Global Mapping Project (180 countries/regions are participating as of December 2009), such as by serving as the secretariat of the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM). Japan is also promoting the utilization of the Global Map for understanding and analyzing the global environment through the organization of international workshops, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change etc. MLIT is carrying out observations and research regarding crustal movement using global observation by VLBI and SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging). Moreover, the “Environmental Monitoring of Japan” is being carried out for developing the data of plant activities through satellite data analysis.