### a. Disaster Response by TEC-FORCE (Technical Emergency Control Force)

In order to respond to the occurrence or likelihood of large-scale natural disasters, the TEC-FORCE (Technical Emergency Control Force) was established in FY2008 and is available for deployment to smoothly and rapidly implement technical support for the local government of the affected area to carry out various emergency disaster measures such as rapidly assessing the extent of the disaster, prevent or contain damages, and rapid recovery of affected areas. In FY2014, approximately 1,600 members were dispatched to 32 prefectures and 129 municipalities for a total of 4,400 man-days in response to Typhoon Neoguri and rainy front in July, Severe Tropical Storm Nakri and Typhoon Halong in August, heavy rainfall started on Emergency inspections on sediment-related disaster danger sections (Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Source) MLIT

August 16, Hiroshima sediment-related disasters caused by heavy rainfall started on August 19, eruption of Ontakesan (Mt. Ontake) in September, earthquake centered in the north of Nagano Prefecture in November, and other disasters to carry out technical assistance such as assessment of damages and minimization of further damages immediately after occurrence of the disaster.

### b. Improving Business Continuity Systems

Following the ratification of the government-wide operational continuity plan (government operation continuity plan), previous undertakings of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Operational Continuity Plan (Second Edition) were followed up to create the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Operational Continuity Plan (Third Edition) on April 1, 2014. Also, the operational continuity framework is being strengthened through such measures as the stockpiling of supplies and securing support systems from other regions without awaiting orders from ministry headquarters (immediate dispatch of TEC-FORCE).

### c. Deployment of Information Communication Systems and Equipment in Preparation for Disasters

To secure information communication systems in the event of a disaster, MLIT headquarters, local branch offices, and related organizations are connected with a highly reliable information communication network consisting of microwave networks and optical fibers, in addition to satellite communication channels to strengthen the system for gathering information from the disaster site, are used to create a high mobility system. Also, to rapidly respond to disasters, the deployment of disaster response helicopters, satellite communication vehicles, drainage pump vehicles, illumination vehicles, and other disaster response machinery is being developed at regional development bureaus and local offices across the nation, so that in the event of a large-scale disaster, the framework will be able to execute rapid deployment.

### d. Implementing Practical and Wide-Area Disaster Prevention Training

Assuming the worst-case scenario that can occur, realistic and wide-area training was actively carried out including coordination with relevant organizations and wide-area dispatching of the TEC-FORCE from Regional Development Bureaus. Also, mainly in flood fighting months (particularly in May), in addition to realistic trainings in flood fighting activity conducted by flood prevention teams, integrated and realistic evacuation trainings combining together the evacuation training, information communication training, and other trainings were conducted by various organizations such as self-defense flood control organizations.

Additionally, the Great East Japan Earthquake reaffirmed the importance of coordination between relevant organizations during large-scale disasters, therefore efforts to improve and strengthen a wide-area disaster prevention framework in preparation of massive earthquakes and other large-scale disasters through the implementation of various joint exercises between multiple organizations centered around regional offices and bureaus including designated local government agencies, fire fighting organizations, and the Japan Self-Defense Force is being promoted to promote initiatives to enhance and strengthen wide-area disaster prevention readiness in preparation for large-scale disasters such as great earthquakes.