of Class-B AIS and other simplified electronic sea navigation devices is currently being evaluated. The “Marine Accident Analysis Center” established under the National Maritime Research Institute (Incorporated Administrative Agency) conducts highly specialized analysis of accidents as well as rapid analysis and sharing of information when major marine accidents occur.

For the Straits of Malacca and Singapore which are very important sea lanes where 80% of imported crude oil transits through, Government of Japan is cooperating with projects that request support from the littoral States of the straits under the “Cooperative Mechanism” $ ^{Note 1} $ and additionally, Japanese maritime industries and the Nippon Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) are contributing to the Aids to Navigation Fund. $ ^{Note 2} $ At the 5th Co-operation Forum under this mechanism, Japan explained the importance of the straits and Japan’s contributions, appealing the importance for a wide range of countries using the straits to contribute to the fund in order for the fund to continue stable development. As the major national user state of these straits, equipped with the knowledge obtained from being the sole cooperating country from before the mechanism was established and friendly relations with the littoral States, Japan will continue to actively cooperate for safety measures of the straits through public and private sector coordination.

## (2) Promoting Safety Measures for Crewmen / Passengers on Boats

Around 40% of the fatalities and missing persons from accidents involving crewmen / passengers on boats are due to falling into sea. In order to survive a fall, it is essential that they are floating at sea and a request for rescue is made immediately. For this reason the Japan Coast Guard is spreading the message and raising awareness for wearing life jackets at all times, securing appropriate communication measures such as having cell phones in waterproof packs, and effectively using the emergency telephone hotline to the Japan Coast Guard, “118” as the three basic self-rescue measures. Also, for small crafts (fishing boats, pleasure boats, etc.), the fatality rate of those that do not wear life jackets that fall into the sea is four times higher than those that wear life jackets; wearing a life jacket is a major factor in surviving a fall into sea. For this reason, in addition to support for LGL $ ^{Note 3} $ and designating model marinas for promoting life jacket wearing, $ ^{Note 4} $ wearing a life jacket is promoted year round through coordination with relevant ministries and local government.

## (3) Strengthening the Rescue System

In order for the Japan Coast Guard to carry out swift and appropriate rescue, distress frequencies are monitored around the clock and “118” as the telephone number for emergency calls is made available to quickly catch accident occurrence information. Also, in addition to improving the rescue technology and abilities of those such as the special rescue team and divers, increasing the number of mobile rescue technicians that can execute rescue maneuvers such as descents and air lifts from helicopters, have diving ability, and able to carry out first aid treatment deployed to air bases, improving and strengthening the medical control system to guarantee the quality of emergency aid procedures carried out by paramedics, and improving the technology of patrol vessels and aircraft to improve and strengthen rescue and emergency systems.