## Source: Compiled by MLIT from:

Restoration of infrastructure and facilities and related support
·The central government conducted a restoration project for National Highway 291, which was under the prefectural management by law, as a national project (direct MLIT intervention). The start of work was announced on November 11.·The central government decided on November 5 to conduct an emergency project to cope with landslide dams at the Imo River channel as MLIT directly-control Sabo works request from the Niigata Prefectural Government.·A decision was made on December 20 to take a special measure that designed to expand the scopes of two types of projects—“disaster-related steep slope failure emergency prevention works” and “disaster-related steep slope failure regional prevention works”—to include retaining walls and others.·MLIT set up a sewerage engineering study committee in the wake of the earthquake. The committee put together a set of recommendations titled “emergency technical advice on the rehabilitation of sewer systems” and reported it to the Niigata Prefectural Government on November 22.·Work to make emergency risk assessment of damaged buildings was launched on October 24.·The headquarters and regional development bureaus of MLIT, research institutions and local governments sent experts in various fields to the disaster areas to assess damage, prevent secondary disasters, inspect hazardous places and support restoration and other efforts on the ground.·MLIT’s regional development bureaus and others sent or provided disaster relief machinery, snowplows and other equipment.·MLIT streamlined the disaster assessment process for its prompt completion on November 17.
Disaster relief and support
·Japan Coast Guard rescued stranded victims and transported doctors and other personnel to the disaster areas.·Niigata airport operated 24 hours a day between October 27 and November 11.·MLIT provided part of the Echigo Hillside National Government Park for relief purposes on request from the Self-Defense Forces, effective from November 8.·The Pubic Works Research Institute assigned staff members to support the operation to rescue a mother and her two children buried in a landslide.
Special arrangements for administrative procedures
·MLIT special arrangements for administrative procedures included: the extension of the term of validity of vehicle inspection certificates for vehicles of disaster-area residents; and easier procedures to change vehicle inspection places for damaged vehicle maintenance workshops.
Information services
·Local governments provided information on the vacancies of both public and private apartments for those who lost their homes.·Geographical Survey Institute provided geographical information and information on crustal movements (maps, aerial photos, etc.).·The Japan Meteorological Agency strengthened information services regarding the weather and aftershocks in and around the disaster areas.·MLIT provided damage information by taking advantage of aircraft, optical cables and the satellite transmission system.·MLIT also compiled and released disaster information with the help of GIS.
Activities by the industries and organizations concerned
·Industries and organizations provided experts in various fields to support restoration efforts.·The Japan Prefabricated Construction Suppliers & Manufacturers Association constructed temporary housing.·Relevant organizations provided consultation services on repairing damaged housing.·Carpenters and other skilled construction workers set up a support team for housing repair.·As many as 39 prefectural trucking associations transported relief supplies to the disaster areas.·The Niigata Trucking Association and major haulers offered full support for the transportation of relief supplies from the Niigata Prefectural Government to the disaster areas, including the dispatch of physical distribution experts.·The Niigata Prefectural Government established a prefectural relief supplies distribution center in cooperation with institutions and organizations concerned.·Bus operators began to use detour routes to maintain expressway bus services and started to provide alternate services for the disrupted railway sections on October 25.·Air carriers offered special services between Haneda and Niigata airports (between October 24, 2004 and January 4, 2005).·Many hotels and inns offered accommodations, bath services and meals for earthquake victims at no or low charges.·The Niigata Prefectural Government launched a program whereby the elderly and disabled among the quake victims were invited to stay at inns within the prefecture free of charge.

Cabinet Office, Heisei 16 nen (2004 nen) Niigata-ken Chuetsu Jishin ni Tsuite [Regarding the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004].

MLIT, Niigata-ken wo Shingen to Suru Jishin ni Tsuite [Regarding the Earthquake Centering Niigata Prefecture].

Hokuriku Shin'etsu District Transport Bureau, MLIT, Niigata-ken Chuetsu Jishin Oukyu Taisaku no Gaiyo to Kongo no Kadai (Gaiyo-ban)