## (5) Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters

The emergent measures to areas where landslides occurred were completed by the rainy season of 2012. Measures for areas raising concern for the possibility of inflicting immense damages to the traffic network vital to reconstruction are planned to be completed by the end of 2015.

## (6) Roadways

① The reconstruction of highways, excluding those in hazard zones that were yet to undergo area inspection before 2012, has been completed. The sections of Joban Expressway falling inside hazard zone, yet to have undergone area inspection, are undergoing reconstruction in parallel with decontamination by the Ministry of Environment, striving to commence service by 2014 (excluding certain sections $ ^{Note1} $ ). ② The reconstruction for national highways under the direct control of the MLIT have been generally completed at the end 2012 (furthermore, the large-scale disaster sites on Japan National Route 45 such as bridges, have been recovered in accord to Reconstruction Plans). ③ Of the reconstruction roads and roads supporting reconstruction, the sections that have newly undergone commercialization are receiving maintenance from the Reconstruction Project Acceleration PPP (public private partnership) by utilizing private technological skills. Among these, route 2 and 3 sections (Sanriku Expressway (between Utasu and Motoyoshi), Sanriku Expressway (between Miyako Chu-o and Taro), and Kamaishi Expressway (between Kamaishis and Kamaishi Nishi)) have gained local cooperation and the reconstruction projects has proceeded at unprecedented speeds. Construction was initiated within a year of newly establishing the project; construction was started in a total of 3 routes and 7 sections by the end of fiscal 2012.

## (7) Railways

Of the railways that were damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, Sanriku Railway has begun reconstruction in 2011 by utilizing the new support system established in the third supplementary budget of the same year. On April 1, 2012, train operation recommenced between Tanohata and Rikuchu-Noda stations on the Kita Rias Line, while train operation between Yoshihama and Sakari stations on the Minami Rias Line is scheduled to recommence by April 3, 2013. The remaining sections are currently under reconstruction. All railways are expected to be fully operational by April 2014.

Train operation has also recommenced on the JR Ishinomaki Line between the Watanoha and Urashuku stations, and on the JR Joban Line between Hamayoshida and Watari stations on March 16, 2013. Furthermore, the start of reconstruction for lines between the Soma and Hamayoshida stations on the JR Joban Line in the spring of 2014 and the recommencement of train operation on all railways of the JR Senseki Line sometime in 2015 has been agreed upon between relevant officials. Moreover, in order to secure public transportation for the time being, the temporary recovery of transit is to be commenced on the JR Kesennuma Line, starting December 22, 2012, and the JR Ofunato Line, starting March 2, 2013 by BRT. $ ^{Note\ 2} $

As for the Yamada Line, Ofunato Line, and Kesennuma Line, having yet to have established recovery plans, of 6 damaged railways (Yamada Line, Ofunato Line, Kesennuma Line, Ishinomaki Line, Senseki Line, and Joban Line) deemed necessary to be reconstructed together linked with town development, tasks over reconstruction have been deliberated through the “Reconstruction Coordination Council” set up for each line, comprised of the relevant local governments, East Japan Railway Company, the Reconstruction Agency, and the MLIT Tohoku District Transport Bureau serving as secretariat.

## (8) Ports and Harbors

In order to prevent regional deindustrialization and materialize the reconstruction of the community, recovery efforts are being systematically conducted based on the “Industry and Logistics Recovery Plan.” Industry and logistics aimed to be substantially recovered within 2 years time, especially the recovery of core facilities, have been largely carried out according to plan. Furthermore, the recovery of bay entrance embankments, which requires long periods of time, is being