For the four river systems in the Tohoku Region, the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake will be applied to the formulation of earthquake and tsunami measures, geographic changes to the surrounding river mouth area such as land subsidence following earthquakes will be reflected in changes to the “Basic Policy for River Improvement” and the “River Improvement Plan” that follows the basic policy will be formulated and changed, and initiatives for regional reconstruction and town planning such as the development of river levees in the river mouth area are being promoted in coordination with the region.

Regarding tsunami measures for airports, in preparation for large-scale tsunami disasters caused by events such as the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake, at airports likely to experience tsunami disasters, tsunami evacuation plans that determine evacuation methods and other matters for airport users and others to protect human life has been drafted and tsunami evacuation training and other matters will continue to be carried out in accordance with these plans. 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.

For the tsunami measures of railways, the conditions of evacuation guidance when tsunamis occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake are being inspected and fundamental thinking for evacuation (speedy evacuation is the most effective and important measure, etc.) for the largest scale tsunamis following something like the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake is being reflected in the response guidelines and case studies compiled for passenger railways to secure safety when tsunamis occur to promote initiatives by railway companies.

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## The “Seacoast Law” was amended for the first time in 15 years

In preparation for large-scale tsunamis and other disasters following the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake with an occurrence probability within the coming 30 years is 70% which, the “Seacoast Law” was amended in June 2014 for the first time in 15 years to improve coastal disaster prevention and mitigation measures, cope with dilapidation of coastal protection facilities such as a lot of coastal levees and so on developed during the period of high economic growth, and promote appropriate maintenance of coasts.

Main Points of the Amendment

1. Locating the Coastal Levees, Etc. with a Disaster Mitigation Function at Coastal Protection Facilities

When the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, coastal levees were destroyed by overtopping waves resulting in tremendous damage to the areas behind the coastal levees. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, coastal protection facilities have been developed basically for protection against tsunamis with relatively high frequency of occurrence. On the other hand, for tsunamis higher than the designed height, it has been determined to provide coastal protection facilities with a disaster mitigation function so that the effect of the coastal protection facilities are exerted tenaciously. The act amended this time expressly defines coastal levees with a “tenacious structure” such as foot protection works or forest (“green coastal levees”) provided integrally with coastal protection facilities in order to further promote disaster mitigation measures against tsunamis and storm surges.

Also, parties concerned have been allowed to form a council to discuss the adjustment between enterprises and so forth in terms of coastal disaster prevention and mitigation measures.

2. Developing the Rules for Operating Floodgates and Land Locks

When the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, in keeping with the fact that a lot of people in charge of operation of floodgates and so on died, the managers of facilities have been obliged to develop the rules for operating floodgates and land locks and conducting trainings. In addition, provisions concerning emergency measures have been developed so that coast administrators can remove obstacles in the case where they prevent land locks from being closed at the time of disaster.

3. Developing the Standards for Maintenance and Repair of Coastal Protection Facilities

In order to keep the coastal protection facilities likely to deteriorate rapidly in satisfactory condition, the responsibility of coast managers for maintenance and repair of coastal protection facilities has been jurally