(4) Promoting Measures against Maritime Crimes

Some major characteristics of recent maritime crime indicate that illegal fishing by foreign fishing vessels have been increasing and particularly arrests of Chinese coral fishing vessels have increased. Regarding the poaching crimes in Japan, poachers and buyers tied in organized manner are engaged in maritime poaching crimes as well as organized criminals seeking sources of funding by poaching. Environmental crimes such as illegal dumping of waste into the ocean to save processing costs are still occurring, and its characteristics are becoming more malicious and sophisticated. Also, for domestic crimes involving firearms and drugs, some are closely related to smuggling crimes facilitated by Japanese criminal organizations and international crime syndicates along with illegal transit facilitated by international crime syndicates. Regarding various maritime crimes, there is still a need for vigilance and Japan Coast Guard is strengthening monitoring and prosecution, gathering and analyzing crime information, and strengthening site inspections by effectively utilizing patrol vessels and aircraft as well as sharing information with relevant domestic and international organizations as part of the efforts to pursue effective measures and take strict yet appropriate measures against maritime crimes.

## 4 National Security and Protection of Citizen’s Lives and Assets

(1) Responding to North Korea Issues

In response to the North Korea launching ballistic missiles and conducting nuclear tests, in accordance with the “Act on Special Measures concerning Prohibition of Entry of Specified Ships into Ports”, all ships registered to North Korea are prohibited from entering Japan’s ports and in light of the international situation this measure was extended to April 13, 2015. To ensure the implementation of these measures, the Japan Coast Guard is conducting the confirmation of information regarding the arrivals of North Korean-flagged ships. Also, to ensure the effectiveness of the measures banning exports to North Korea such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, in accordance with the “Special Measures Law Regarding Cargo Inspections, etc., of Japan in Accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, etc.”, the MLIT and the Japan Coast Guard is coordinating closely with relevant administrative agencies to ensure the effectiveness of measures stipulated by the law.

Also, in light of leadership changes at North Korea, the MLIT is strengthening its readiness including information gathering and communication to thoroughly implement measures in preparation of worst case scenarios and will continue to maintain the monitoring and warning systems. Also, for the cases of missile launches referred as rocket launches for “artificial satellites” conducted by North Korea on April, 13 and December 12, 2012, and nuclear tests conducted by North Korea on February 12, 2013, information was collected and shared as part of the efforts to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

(2) Responding to Armed Attacks and Other Situations Under the National Citizen Protection Plan

In accordance with the “Act concerning the Measures for Protection of the People in Armed Attack Situations, etc” and “Basic Policy Regarding the Protection of National Citizens” which stipulates measures regarding the evacuation, rescue and minimization of losses due to armed attacks, etc., MLIT, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and Japan Coast Guard stipulate “Plan Regarding the Protection of National Citizens”. The MLIT will implement support such as communication and coordination with designated public agencies that serve as transporters for the transport of evacuating residents in accordance with requests from local government; the Japan Coast Guard is designated to carry out the transport of evacuating residents and emergency supplies when the transport capacity of designated public agencies is insufficient and to carry out search, rescue, and emergency activities.