## (3) Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters

In Japan, sediment-related disasters such as debris flow, landslides, and slope failure caused by concentrated heavy rainfall and earthquakes averaged approximately 1,000 cases per year (2002-2012) resulting in severe damages. Also, sediment-related disasters claim a large share of victims amongst natural disasters. For this reason, structural sediment control facilities in priority areas with an acute need for measures; creating a safe and appropriate warning and evacuation frameworks consisting of self, mutual, and government assistance; efficient sediment-related disaster measures consisting of integrated soft and hard measures are being promoted to reduce the number of victims claimed by sediment-related disasters.

## ① Fundamental Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters

Rivers with a headstream area in a dilapidated mountain terrain can cause extensive damages to the entire river basin from the sediment discharge it creates. To protect the national land from such sediment disasters and strive to protect human lives, the development of sediment control-related facilities is being promoted.

## ② Emergency Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters in Sediment Disaster Affected Areas

The concentrated development of sediment control-related facilities in the area affected by sediment disaster affected and its surrounding regions will help prevent a reoccurrence of disasters in areas stricken by extensive sediment disasters.

③ Emergency Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters for People Requiring Assistance

## During Disasters

For facilities used by those requiring assistance during disasters such as hospitals, nursing homes, and kindergartens located in areas at risk of sediment disasters, the development of sediment-related control dams and other sediment-related disaster mitigation facilities are heavily prioritized.

Also, based on the “Act on Promotion of Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone Areas (Sediment Disasters Prevention Act),” the development of facilities used by those requiring assistance during disasters is restricted in sediment-related disaster prone areas.

## ④ Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters for Urban Areas Near Mountain Base Slopes

In order to enhance the safety against sediment-related disasters in

urban areas and create an urban environment rich in greenery, forestry (green belts) is planted on the mountain base slopes near urban areas. In FY 2012 this was implemented in the Rokko area (Hyogo prefecture) among 13 areas.

## ⑦ Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters that Improve Regional Disaster Prevention

In hilly and mountainous regions where sediment-related disasters can cause devastating damage to the society and economy, the warning and evacuation system of villages are strengthened and the conservation of important facilities and disaster prevention backbone villages are being promoted.

## ⑨ Promoting the Sediment Disasters Prevention Act

(a) Promoting the Designation of sediment-related disaster hazard areas

In accordance with the “Sediment Disasters Prevention Act,” sediment-related disaster hazard likely to experience sediment-related disasters that may cause harm to the body of residents are designation and in such districts,