(4) municipal disaster administration wireless networks that connect municipalities with residents; and (5) a satellite communications network that connects the national government with municipalities and municipalities with each other.

## (2) Deploying mobile communications equipment for disaster responses

MIC has lent out mobile communication equipment for disaster responses (300 satellite phones, 280 MCA radios, and 1,500 convenience radios have been deployed to Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications nationwide) in response to requests from local governments and other agencies to ensure they have communications in disaster-affected zones even when mobile phones and other forms of communication are lost.

## (3) Establishing national early-warning system (J-ALERT)

MIC's Fire and Disaster Management Agency is establishing J-ALERT, a national early-warning system that instantly communicates emergency information to residents. Using J-ALERT satellites, the national government (from the Cabinet Secretariat or Meteorological Agency via the Fire and Disaster Management Agency) communicates tsunami warnings, earthquake early warnings, ballistic missile launch notices, and other information that requires immediate action. J-ALERT also automatically activates municipal (broadcast) disaster-management administration radio systems.

## (4) Deploying mobile communication equipment for disaster responses

MIC started the G-Space City Construction Project to encourage the use and application of geospatial information (G-Space information) through ICT and to bolster disaster-response abilities and stimulate local regions. In July 2014, MIC selected 10 pilot projects as world-leading G-space disaster-response models.

MIC is also tackling the nationwide expansion of L Alert (a disaster-information sharing system) as a shared platform connecting local governments and lifeline operators that publish public information with broadcasters and communications carriers that transmit public information. L Alert is hoped to be a shared platform both during times of disasters and during the reconstruction period.

## Section 10 Developments in Postal Service Administration

### 1. Promoting postal service administration

The Act for Partial Revision of the Postal Service Privatization Act (Law No. 30 of 2012), which was promulgated on May 8, 2012, has expanded the scope of universal service, which had been limited to postal mail service, to cover basic savings and insurance services. The revision also mandated that the three postal businesses (postal mail service, savings, and insurance services) all be made available at post offices to improve user convenience. MIC, while ensuring the universality of the postal business, is progressing steadily with Japan Post privatization in a way that citizens can appreciate the benefits of privatization.

### 2. Promoting postal service administration in the international field

## (1) Relations with the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

The 25th UPU Congress held in Doha, Qatar, in September and October 2012, adopted several documents stipulating rules for international post and other matters (UPU Constitution and General Regulations and Postal Payment Services). The Doha Postal Strategy, a roadmap for the next four years, incorporated a proposal from Japan on the promotion of disaster-response policies. Japan makes personnel and financial contributions to the UPU disaster-response policy project and provides information to the world's countries.

## (2) Deploying Japan's postal infrastructure systems abroad

As emerging and developing countries tackle modernizing and advancing their postal operations, MIC is working to deploy Japanese-style postal infrastructure systems to these countries. By providing Japan’s superb knowledge and technology in the area of postal operations, we hope to further social and economic development in partner countries and strengthen bilateral ties.

### 3. Promoting the correspondence delivery business

The Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private-Business Operators (Law No. 99 of 2002) paved the way for private enterprises to enter the correspondence delivery business, which had been monopolized by the state.

Correspondence delivery falls into two categories: general correspondence delivery businesses, which provide general correspondence services nationwide, and specified correspondence delivery businesses, which offer limited correspondence delivery services that do not undermine the provision of universal postal mail services. As of March 2015, 436 operators had entered the specified correspondence delivery business.