Also, in preparation for tsunami disasters, tsunami evacuation plans were created to stipulate evacuation procedures for saving lives of airport users in the event of a tsunami. In addition, a plan was formulated for rapid recovery of airport functions following a tsunami disaster and initiatives to establish a cooperative framework with relevant organizations based on the plan is being promoted. In addition, studies are being conducted as to how structural and non-structural measures should be taken for airport facilities when widespread large-scale disasters such as the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake occur.

## (5) Building a Logistics System Resistant to Disaster

The Great East Japan Earthquake highlighted the importance of utilizing the expertise and facilities of private sector logistics companies from the perspective of ensuring the smooth transport of relief supplies. In light of this lesson, the establishment of a logistics system that is resistant to disasters through the coordination of central government, local government, and logistics companies was evaluated and private logistics facilities that could be used as a base for supplies in the event of an earthquake were listed up (1,203 locations nationwide, as of February 28, 2015) and for applicable facilities, support was given to implement emergency power supply, communication, and other facilities to promote the establishment of a cooperative framework for coordination between the public and private sectors across the nation.

## Section 3 Ensuring the Safety of Architecture

## (1) Securing Trust for the Production and Supply System for Housing and Buildings

After the amended “Building Standards Law” went into effect in 2007, the building confirmation process became backlogged, leading to a large decrease in the number of building confirmations; therefore, in light of this, the operation of building confirmation procedures was improved on two occasions in 2010 and 2011 to speed up the building confirmation review and simplify the application documentation among other improvements.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism inquired the Panel on Infrastructure Development about the “ideal for future standards policies” in August 2012, and review was proceeded on the items that were requested most for review by priority at the Building Standards Sub commission established at the Building Subcommittee of the same Panel in September of the same year. Of this, regarding the scheme for promoting the seismic resistance of housing and buildings, the first findings were compiled in February 2013 and based on this the revised “Law for Partial Amendments to the Act for Promotion of Renovation for Earthquake-Resistant Structures of Buildings” was enacted in November 2013.

Also, regarding the “ideal standards regarding wood structures” and “ideal efficient and practically implementable confirmation inspection regulations” the second report was compiled in February 2014. In accordance with this, the “Law for a Partial Revision to the Building Standards Law” was enacted in May 2014.

For measures concerning the architect, efforts have been made to optimize the design and construction supervision, based on the “Act for Partial Revision of the Architect Law”, which was enacted in June of the same year.

Additionally, when defects are discovered in new houses the defect warranty will be reliably fulfilled so that consumers can purchase housing with peace of mind and in accordance with the “Act on Assurance of Performance of Specified Housing Defect Warranty (Housing Defect Warranty Performance Act)”, requiring construction companies and real estate transaction agents to secure funds (house defect warranty security deposit or a valid housing defect warranty liability insurance contract), the insurance underwriting system of housing defect warranty liability insurance entities will continue to be improved and initiatives to raise awareness among consumers and other measures to publicize the system are being carried out.

The year 2014 marks the $ 5^{th} $ year of enforcement of this system, and the “Review Committee Regarding the Future of Secure Execution of Defect Warranty Liability Legislative System” was newly launched by the experts to discuss about smooth operation, dissemination and enlightenment of this system.

## (2) Ensuring the Safety of Elevators and Play Facilities

Investigation to study accident causes of conveyors (elevators and escalators) and play facilities and safety and accident measures training for local government and regional development bureau officials will continue to be done. Also, continuing initiatives to ensure safety, such as partial amendment of periodic inspection system and additions of quake-