The plan establishes seven priority projects of especially high priority that will be tackled with a multidisciplinary approach. One of these is the "social infrastructure maintenance, management, and renewal project" calls for "the comprehensive evaluation of maintenance and management technology concerning social infrastructure and the clarification of maintenance and management technology that should be given higher priority for advancements including the utilization of private sector technology", therefore these initiatives are being promoted for the planned increase of social capital lifecycle and ageing measures to prevent major accidents from happening.

Here we will present a case study for research and development, “the development of inspection and monitoring technology for preventive conservation management”. This technology development involved the development of technology that enabled the inspection of steel and other parts inside the concrete without destroying the structure as well as technology to efficiently inspect high places. In the future, field tests will be carried out at actual sites and initiatives for commercialization will be further promoted (Diagrams 1,2,3).

Diagram 1 Development of a method to confirm the corrosion or damages of the inside of steel parts using ultrasound and electric current

Source) MLIT

Diagram 2 Development of an endoscope to enter the inside from bolt holes to confirm conditions

Source) MLIT

Diagram 3 Development of a device to diagnose the outside wall by attaching itself to the building wall surface and moving around

Source) MLIT

## (1) Initiatives at Facility Organizations, Special Organizations, External Bureaus, and Incorporated Administrative Agencies

Facility organizations, special organizations, external bureaus, and incorporated administrative agencies under MLIT which are mainly tasked with research are as shown in this figure. Incorporated Administrative Agencies serve the public interests and possess transparency and independence; research that meets policy needs are being conducted with priority and efficiency while striving for further coordination with relevant organizations including the private sector and carrying out tasks appropriately and efficiently.

Graphic II-10-2-1 Major Initiatives for FY 2012 by Facility Organizations, Special Organizations, and External Bureaus

Organizations, etc.	Summary
Geographical Survey Institute	Geospatial Information Authority of Japan At the Geography & Crustal Dynamics Research Center, Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, research and development that contributes to disaster prevention and the environment as well as the realization of a society that actively utilizes geospatial information is an advanced manner are carried out, such as estimating the fixed state of plate boundaries along with changes, assessing the impact of atmospheric turbulence to improve the reliability of monitoring crustal movements with GPS, and defining technical specifications and efficient ways to develop three-dimensional GIS data for public indoor spaces.
Policy Research Institute for Land Infrastructure and Transport	Policy Research Institute for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Analyze socioeconomic trends and prepare a long-term outlook, implement surveys and research for new policy methods internally and externally, and other activities for the purpose of widely contributing to policy creation in the field of national land and transport.
National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management	National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management To contribute to the realization of a beautiful, safe national land with vitality, FY 2012, the following was implemented in addition to existing research, “crisis management for complex natural disasters and excess external force”, “evaluation methods and standards for seismic safety of the exterior material”, and “measures for smooth transport in response to expanded Asian ferry transport”.
Meteorological Research Institute	Meteorological Research Institute, Japan Meteorological Agency, conducts prediction research and research on understanding the phenomena of weather, climate, earthquake volcanoes, and the ocean to contribute to the “intensified measures for typhoon and torrential rains,” “intensified measures for disasters of earthquake, volcano, and tsunami,” and “intensified of measures for climate change and global environment issue.”
Japan Coast Guard	Japan Coast Guard conduct testing and research for equipment and materials used for coast guard duties, testing and research for forensic science at sea, and advancing observation technology for monitoring seafloor crustal movements.