Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## (2) Actively preserving, reviving, ad creating a healthy environment

We strive to efficiently utilize dredged soil derived from harbor maintenance, by usage in creating tidal flats, sand capping, back-filling deeply excavated sites, and disseminating port facilities that can coexist with organisms. After the projects have been started, we will continuously monitor the status after maintenance by implementing adaptable management methods. Various organizations such as administrative agencies and research institutes will register environmental data and construct a sharable database on the ocean environment; gathering, accumulating, analyzing and publishing data. Together, we actively work to preserve, revive and create a rich natural environment in coastal areas.

In addition, the “Seaside Nature School,” which utilizes the areas preserved, revived or created, is being held in various locations throughout Japan as an effort to create opportunities for learning the importance of the natural environment.

## (3) Initiatives in measures for preventing illegal boat parking

Because illegally parked boats affect the navigation and anchorage of vessels, coastal recreation, and fishing activities, as well as raising concerns over secondary damages from tsunamis, regulatory measures are being implemented for the specification of parking prohibited areas for boat parking and the enhancement of mooring capabilities for small vessels.

As illegally parked boats raise different problems depending on the water space concerned, we have established a platform for discussion between water space management and relevant personnel in the Regional Development Bureau and the District Transport Bureau.

## 5 Greening roads and promoting environmental measures

Greening roads is crucial for providing a comfortable atmosphere to those who use them, creating favorable scenery that matches the surrounding scenery, and as countermeasures against heat island effects. Due to these reasons, beginning with the green shade road projects for creating bowers in the road atmosphere, we are promoting improvements to roadside trees and sidewalk greenery, and cooperating with roadside communities in operation and maintenance. In addition, we strive to preserve and revive the environment by avoiding areas that are valuable natural environments, for road construction from planning stages, or try to minimize the effects or implement alternative measures if it cannot be avoided.

## Example of green shade roads (Miyazaki prefecture)

Source) MLIT
## Section 4 Building a healthy water circulation system

# 1 Measures in building a healthy water circulation system in cooperation with ministries and agencies involving water

The liaison conferences for involved ministries and agencies in building water circulation systems has published the “Initiatives for Planning a Healthy Water Circulation System,” and involved ministries and agencies are working together to provide various means of support to promote activities in communities.

Graphic II-8-4-1 Building a healthy water circulation system

Source) MLIT

## 2 Initiatives in improving the water environment

## (1) Proceeding with water purification

For rivers and lakes with serious deterioration in water quality, we are striving to acquire clean water through water purification measures such as clean water transmission, dredging sediment, and purification by vegetation in places such as Kasumigaura (Ibaraki prefecture), Shinji Lake, and Nakaumi Lake (Simane and Tottori prefectures).

In the rivers and lakes where water conditions have especially deteriorated, local municipalities, river administration and sewage work administration are Graphic II-8-4-2 Clear Stream Renaissance II

Source) MLIT

working together to formulate and implement the “The Second Urgent Action Strategy for Water Environment Improvement (Clear Stream Renaissance II)” (34 locations selected throughout Japan).

## (2) Surveys on water quality and measures against water quality hazards

Water quality surveys of rivers, lakes, dams, and water reservoirs are crucial to conserving and reviving aquatic environments. In 2011, MLIT surveyed 1,091 sites in 109 river-systems throughout Japan.

MLIT also formulates maps based on water quality surveys and investigates aquatic organisms in cooperation with local citizens. In addition, MLIT conducts surveys on rivers based on a new water quality index, which comprehensively evaluates the quality of water from various standpoints; the latest result shows that approximately 22% of surveyed sites (59 out of 270) were judged as “clean rivers desirable for swimming” (FY 2011).

On the other hand, 1,244 cases of water quality hazards such as leakage of oils or chemicals occurred in class A river
and management of water amenity spaces by citizens, utilizing space above waste-water treatment facilities, transferring sewage heat for usage as district heating, utilization of bio-gas as energy and efficiently using recycled resources derived from sewage, sewerage contributes to regional vitalization in numerous facets.

## (4) Promoting environmental education in the field of sewerage

Working groups, consisting of elementary school teachers and sewerage administration representatives, created teacher edition textbooks that were well-suited for classroom use in sewerage education. These educational materials on sewerage are distributed on the “Junkan No Michi Geisuidou Environmental Education Portal Site” $ ^{Note 1} $ so that teachers can access them freely. Additionally, subsidies are granted to each elementary and middle

Graphic II-8-4-7 Environmental Education in the field of sewerage

Source) MLIT

schools for supporting environmental education on sewerage.

## Section 5 Protecting the marine environment

## (1) Control policies over large scale oil pollution

In order to eliminate the substandard vessels (a major factor for large scale oil pollution), Japan actively participates in international initiatives, such as the formulation of the international shipping database (EQUASIS), while also strengthening Port State Control (PSC), which checks if vessels meet standards, by conducting on-site inspection of vessels that enter Japanese ports. As for systems for inspecting if flag state governments are fulfilling their duties in monitoring and supervising ships from their own country, an arbitrary system proposed by Japan was authorized for establishment in 2005 by the IMO Convention. However, in light of progress in initiatives, the system is now scheduled to be mandatory by FY2015. In order to enhance the effectiveness of inspections, Japan will participate in discussions in reviewing the manner of operation.

In addition, as countermeasures for occurrences of large scale oil and HNS pollution in and around the Sea of Japan, Japan works to strengthen international cooperation and collaborative systems by establishing the “NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan” through the “Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP),” the framework for joint efforts among Japan, China, Korea and Russia for protecting the marine environment. As for large scale oil spillages that occur in the sea areas surrounding Japan, measures have been established for prompt and precise response through the utilization of large dredging and oil skimming vessel.

Moreover, the pollution by oil and garbage discharged from ships is regulated by the MARPOL 73/78. $ ^{Note\ 2} $ The regulation on discharge of garbage during normal operation of ships was further reinforced in January 2013 by the amendment on annexes of the protocol. In order to attain properly receive oil and garbage from ships at ports and harbors, Japan provides support including tax policies for developing reception facilities for waste oil and developed the tentative “Guidelines for Port Authorities in Reception of Garbage from Ships.”
improvement projects, based on the “Guidelines for Noise Abatement Measures in the Construction of New Lines and Large-scale Improvement of Conventional Railways.”

## Countermeasures against urban heat islands

Heat island effect refers to the phenomenon where a metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. While the global temperature has elevated around $ 0.7^{\circ}C $ in the last century, Japanese metropolitan areas have seen elevations of around 2 to $ 3^{\circ}C $ , indicating the significant progression in heat island phenomena compared to the global warming trends. The main cause of this phenomenon is said to be increases in artificial heat from air-conditioning, the reduction of greenery and water surface, and the proliferation of houses and buildings.

In order to promote comprehensive and effective countermeasures against urban heat islands, Japan is administering improvements to the “Heat Island Monitoring Network,” a collection of specific measures systematically compiled in 2004 by relevant ministries and agencies. Improvements included the addition of the four objectives for promoting policies to alleviate health effects on people: reducing artificial heat emission, and improving land surfaces, urban morphology and lifestyle. The MLIT focuses on promoting policies for the swift acquisition of greenery and open spaces.

Graphic II-8-6-2 Heat Island Monitoring

Annual number of extremely warm nights in Tokyo

Observed long-term changing trend in temperature, number of extremely warm nights, etc., (*) (*) Counting nights with minimum temperatures of $ 25^{\circ} $ C or higher.

Urban heat island intensity defined as differences in temperature between simulations with urban ground conditions and pristine ground conditions (Top graph) Kanto region (Bottom graph) Kinki region
established mileage measurement methods and mileage standards for major types of construction equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, bulldozers, and wheel loaders to facilitate the quantitative identification of energy-saving capabilities.

## Observing, monitoring, and forecasting changes in the global environment

## 1 Observing and monitoring the global environment

## (1) Observing and monitoring climate change

In order to monitor the condition of greenhouse gases, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is observing $ CO_{2} $ and other gases in the atmosphere at three locations in Japan, as well as gases in the atmosphere and seawater in the western North Pacific by JMA’s research vessels, and the gases in the upper air over the western North Pacific by aircraft. Furthermore, climate changes are monitored, and solar and infrared radiation being observed in five locations throughout Japan in order to enhance the certainty of global warming projections.

In addition, JMA observes increases in sea levels which accompany global warming, and publish information on the long-term change trends in sea levels around Japanese coasts.

In other fronts, the Japanese 55-year reanalysis (JRA-55), an extension of the Japan 25-year Reanalysis (JRA-25) project achieving higher quality, is currently underway. Originally, the JRA-25 aimed to enhance the accuracy in monitoring climate variability and seasonal forecasts through the consistent analysis of global atmosphere over a span of 25 years. This was then extended to the JRA-

55 for further accuracy.

Graphic II-8-7-1 Shifts in CO₂ concentration throughout Japan

Source) Japan Meteorological Agency

Based on the observation results as above, JMA publishes the “Climate Change Monitoring Report” and the “Report on Climate Change and Extreme Weather” summarizing the current situation and future projection of climate change, extreme weather events, global warming and other global environmental events. Serving as the World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), JMA also archives and provides observation data on greenhouse gases around the world.

## (2) Initiatives aimed to improve next generation geostationary meteorological satellite

The next generation geostationary meteorological satellite “Himawari No.8 and 9” implement disaster prevention functions against typhoons and concentrated downpours, as well as enhancements ahead of other courtiers in monitoring functions for the global environment, including trends in global warming, to become “Geostationary Earth Environment Observation Satellites.” As of now, Himawari No. 8 is scheduled for launch in 2014 and No. 9 in 2016; the assembly of these two satellites began in 2009.
## (3) Observing and monitoring the ocean

Oceans decelerate global warming by absorbing heat and $ CO_{2} $ , which is a major greenhouse gas. In order to monitor global warming, it is essential to accurately observe oceanic conditions.

In 2010, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) enhanced monitoring capabilities of their research vessels and has been conducting highly accurate oceanographic observations by international collaborative efforts. JMA also monitors oceanic conditions related to global warming by utilizing data obtained by these vessels and that of international observation programs.

In addition to research vessels, various types of observation data obtained by Argo floats, (oceanic robotic probes that automatically profile underwater conditions) and satellites. are gathered and analyzed to integrally diagnose the overview on present and future changes in

Graphic II-8-7-2 Monitoring the global environment by research vessels

Upper (0 – 700m) ocean temperature anomaly. The globally averaged upper ocean temperature rose from 1950 to 2012 at a rate of 0.020°C per decode as a long-term trend with interannual variation.

Source) Japan Meteorological Agency

oceanic conditions related to global warming. This information is published as the “Marine Diagnosis Report.”

## Graphic II-8-7-3 Example of a "Marine Diagnosis Report" published on the Japan Meteorological Agency website

[Time-series representation of annual minimum Arctic from 1979 to 2012] The dotted line indicates the trend of 1979 to 2012.

In order to complement data obtained from Argo floats, the Japan Coast Guard constantly monitors variation of the Kuroshio around the Izu Islands using high-frequency radar, and releases the observation data. In addition, the Japan Oceanographic Data Center collects and manages data obtained by Japanese marine research organizations, and discloses it to the relevant agencies and to the public.
## Column

## Providing information on the Ocean acidification

Oceans are considered to absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide $ \left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right) $ emitted by human activity. This absorption of $ CO_{2} $ benefits humankind by reducing the concentration of $ CO_{2} $ in the atmosphere and consequently decelerating global warming. However, as anthropogenic $ CO_{2} $ is absorbed, the chemical properties of surface seawater change and pH (hydrogen ion exponent) decreases. The decrease in seawater pH, or ocean acidification, is of particular concern as it reduces the $ CO_{2} $ capacity of sea water and leads to the acceleration of global warming. Additionally, higher acidity of ocean water can potentially have massive impacts on marine ecosystems, raising concerns over effects on economic activities such as the fishing industry and tourism that rely on oceanic tourist resources such as coral reefs.

For these reasons, in November 2012, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began routinely releasing monitoring information related to ocean acidification for the first time in Japan. This information, based on oceanographic observation data collected in the western North Pacific over long periods of time by JMA research vessels. JMA estimated the pH in surface waters between $ 3^{\circ} $ N and $ 34^{\circ} $ N along the $ 137^{\circ} $ E meridian, one of JMA's repeat hydrographic lines, in winter since 1984 using $ CO_{2} $ concentration and related data in surface waters. Results revealed that the pH is decreasing about 0.02 per decade at all latitudes along the $ 137^{\circ} $ E meridian, indicating that ocean acidification is progressing.

In order to properly counteract the acidification of ocean waters, which is a serious issue in battling global warming and protecting biodiversity, JMA will continue to monitor the ocean throughout the future, and collect and provide scientific insights related to the acidification of the ocean.

This information can be found on the JMA's website (http://www.data.kishou.go.jp/kaiyou/shindan/index.html) including the long-term changes of the ocean related to oceanographic conditions and global warming.

Time-series representation of pH at 10, 20 and 30°N 137°E for winter (left) and JMA's repeat hydrographic line at 137°E (right). The numbers in the figure on the left indicate rates of change at each latitude. Source) Japan Meteorological Agency

## (4) Observing and monitoring the ozone layer

The Japan Meteorological Agency annually publishes the outcome of observations on ozone and ultraviolet radiation. According to these studies, the global amount of ozone continues to be low from a long-term perspective. Additionally, in order to prevent adverse effects to the human body by ultraviolet radiation, information on the topic is published daily using a numerical index (UV index) for easy comprehension of the intensity of ultraviolet radiation.
# Strategic International Development and Strengthening International Contributions

## Section 1 Promoting the Export of Infrastructure Systems

In emerging nations such as Asia, remarkable growth is expected to lead to greater demand for infrastructure in the future. Exporting our infrastructure system, which utilizes the technology and experiences fostered by our nation, to capture the growth of these emerging nations is an important issue for our own country’s continued growth. MLIT is engaged in promoting top sales and using various conferences to gather information with both public and private sectors, spreading our soft infrastructure such as our nation’s frameworks and standards, and offering support for financial procurement to promote the export of infrastructure systems. Through these efforts, comprehensive and strategic support is offered to domestic companies from the project conception stage to receive orders for specific projects as well as strengthen the international competitiveness of our country’s infrastructure related businesses.

## 1 Expanding Top Sales

To increase the orders received for various projects by Japanese companies, top sales is actively implemented through high-level talks and hosting seminars with foreign governments as well as inviting dignitaries and government officials among other efforts. The main initiatives for FY 2012 are as follows.

## (1) Thailand

In October 2012, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited and met with the Prime Minister, to present the advantages of Japan’s high-speed rail development as well as exchange opinions to realize the disaster management collaboration dialogue between Japan and Thailand. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the rail sector was signed with Thailand’s Minister of Transport and an agreement was reached to share expertise and jointly host seminars among others in the rail sector.

## (2) Vietnam

In October 2012, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited and met with Chairman of Binh Duong Province People’s Committee for talks to exchange opinions on town building undertaken by Japanese companies as part of new urban development as well as cooperation for eco-city development in Vietnam.

## (3) Indonesia

At the Third Steering Committee Meeting of Metropolitan Priority Areas for Investment and Industry (MPA) $ ^{Note} $ held in October 2012, the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs agreed to further cooperation to realize various MPA projects for rail, ports, airports, sewage, etc., smoothly and rapidly. In September of the same year, Indonesia’s Vice-Minister of Public Works visited Japan to attend the Japan-Indonesia Conference on Construction and confirmed with the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism that the cooperative relations in the field of construction will be further strengthened.
## (4) Myanmar

In November 2012, the Minister of Transport visited Japan, and in a conference with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding for close cooperation in the field of transport. In February 2013, the Minister of Construction was invited to Japan, and in a conference with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism signed a memorandum of Cooperation related to roads.

## (5) India

In May 2012, the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited India and held a conference with India’s Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways and agreed to promote a cooperative relationship in the field of roads. In February 2013, the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited India and hosted a high-speed rail seminar.

## (6) Brazil

In May 2012, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism met with Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade to sign the memorandum on cooperation in the field of maritime technology and industry to strengthen the bilateral cooperative relationship in that field.

## (7) Qatar

In February 2013, the President of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority of Qatar visited Japan to attend the Seminar on Qatar Infrastructure Projects in Tokyo, Japan and confirmed the further development of cooperative bilateral relations including infrastructure development in preparation for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a conference with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

## (8) United States

In July 2012, the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited the United States and in talks with the United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation and other officials to announce Japan’s cooperation for high-speed railway projects and confirms Japan-U.S. cooperation in the field of aviation safety. Also, in February 2013 at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting the Prime Minister made proposals for the implementation of superconducting maglevs.

## Column

## Japan's Railway System Making a Successful Homecoming to the United Kingdom, the Birthplace of Railways after 140 Years

In July 2012, 140 years since Japan built a railway connecting Shinbashi and Yokohama after learning from the United Kingdom, the birthplace of railways, a joint venture including Hitachi, Ltd. was contracted for the high-speed railway train replacement project (IEP: Intercity Express Programme). This project's scale is the