3) Measures for protecting endangered citizens from sediment disasters

For high risk areas in facilities related to endangered citizens from disasters, sediment disaster prevention facilities, such as sabo dams, are being developed intensively.

## 4 ) Measures against sediment disasters at the foot of mountains near cities

In order to increase the safety against sediment disasters in urban districts and create green urban environments, the formation of green belts on the slopes at the foot of mountains near urban districts is being pushed forward. In FY 2009, 19 districts including Rokko District (Hyogo Prefecture) implemented these measures.

## 5 ) Measures against sediment disasters in developed rural areas

In rural areas, measures are being pushed forward for reconstructing abandoned river basins so as to control the sand overflow from slopes and, the conservation of natural environments and animal diversification are in progress.

6) Promotion of Law related to Promotion of Measures for Sediment-related Disaster Prevention in a Restricted Area etc. due to Sediment-related Disaster

(A) Promotion of designation of Sediment-related Disaster Warning Area etc

Based on the “Law related to Promotion of Measures for Sediment-related Disaster Prevention in Restricted Areas etc. due to Sediment-related Disaster”, the Sediment-related Disaster Warning Areas that are in high risk of sediment disasters are designated and the Warning and Evacuation System of the corresponding areas is developed. At the same time, non-structural measures are being taken in the Special Sediment-related Disaster Warning Areas that are highly susceptible to enormous disasters. The measures include the restriction of special development actions and the restriction of building structures. Furthermore, the guidelines and case collection for warning and evacuation are shown and support is being provided to the development of the Warning and Evacuation System against sediment disasters in the municipalities.

## (B) Pushing forward the relocation of risky housing

For risky housing near cliffs susceptible to collapses, relocation is being pushed forward through the utilization of the project on the relocation of risky housing near cliffs. In FY 2008, 40 units of risky housing were removed based on this system and 31 units for risky housing replacement were constructed.

## Column – Sediment disaster-prevention measure for protecting the related facilities for those most vulnerable during disasters

On 22 $ ^{nd} $ July 2009, a mud flood happened in Yamaguchi Prefecture causing the death of 7 people who stayed in a special elderly nursing home. The damage caused by the landslide disaster was devastating. Due to this incident, it is obvious that there is a necessity for further pushing forward the maintenance of facilities (e.g. facilities with those most vulnerable during disasters) that are the living places of people who will have difficulty escaping quickly; as well as strengthening the Warning and Evacuation System at the level of voluntary disaster prevention organizations.

### 1. Implementation of quick measures against landslide disasters

On 31 $ ^{st} $ March 2009, the ordinance of MLIT was revised. When there are large-scale natural disasters, each office is able to carry out urgent sabo works regardless of both the responsible duties of each office and the administrative districts. Regarding measures towards landslide disasters focused on Hofu City of Yamaguchi Prefecture, MLIT accepted requests from Yamaguchi Prefecture and the above revised regulation was applied for the first time; the MLIT disaster-related urgent sabo project was implemented.

### 2. Measures for risky facilities for those most vulnerable during sediment disaster

Although the landslide disaster measure for protecting related facilities for those most vulnerable during disasters have been implemented intensively until now, because of the landslide disaster that happened in Hofu City of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the general inspection of risky spots in the related facilities for those most vulnerable during disaster is being executed nationally, with the cooperation of local residents (facility administrators), municipalities and prefectures.

Based on the investigation results, the prefectures and the country carry out the development of sabo dams in spots that need special maintenance measures. At the same time, the local residents, municipalities and prefectures are cooperating and carrying out structural and non-structural measures that emphasize the “manifestation of risky districts”, “delivering accurate information” and “implementing disaster prevention training”, such as strengthening the practical Warning and Evacuation System.