information systems. In addition, as information security measures of the field of critical information infrastructures (aviation, railway and logistics), guidelines for protection from IT failure are being developed.

## 2 Establishing a Response System for Accident Disasters

When accident disasters such as accidents involving multiple fatalities occur on rail, air, etc. or ships are involved in oil spill accidents, a disaster response headquarters is established within MLIT to develop a system to collect and aggregate precise information quickly and be able to implement disaster emergency measures with relevant government agencies.

For accident disasters at sea, coordination with relevant organizations is being furthered such as ensuring a dispatch system for patrol vessels and aircraft and readying disaster mitigation equipment in addition to implementing joint training. Also, for pollution accidents involving oil or toxic liquid substances, response equipment is being improved to strengthen the system for a swift and effective response and environmental protection information on coastal waters needed to contain oil, etc., is being compiled and provided.

## 3 Strengthening the Coast Guard System

## (1) Improving and Strengthening the Operational System

In order to fully respond to Chinese large government vessels which are persistently wandering around territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the Japan Coast Guard is developing 1,000 ton patrol vessels equipped with surveillance ability to establish a full-time patrol system by large patrol vessels for the security of Senkaku territorial waters. The Japan Coast Guard will also develop mooring facilities to strengthen the base functions in Ishigaki Port and deploy boat crew for a newly commissioned patrol vessels. In addition, we promote switching of patrol vessels to alternative high-performance patrol boats to ensure the system which can precisely respond to changes in the situation. In addition, we will promote the development of new jet aircraft and regulatory capacity advanced patrol vessels, and ensure the operating costs of them from FY2015 to establish a maritime security system around the Senkaku territorial waters and all over the oceans of Japan without security holes.

## (2) Promoting Counter-Terrorism Measures

To prevent terrorism, the Japan Coast Guard patrols around facilities that are at risk, such as coastal nuclear power plants and petrochemical complexes as well as U.S. Armed Forces facilities by patrol vessels and aircrafts. Also, during Golden Week, summer vacation, and the Year-end and New Year holidays and other periods when passenger travel is at the peak, security is especially tightened in passenger ship terminals where many people are concentrated.

In addition, we also encourage the strengthening of self-security to maritime persons and businesses and others, request to make notification reports of the suspicious information or activities to cooperate with the local community.

## (3) Promoting Measures Against Suspicious Vessels and Spy Ships

It is well known that suspicious vessels and spy ships are probably engaged in serious crime in our country’s territorial waters and to shed light on their objectives and activity, suspicious boats needs to be stopped for site inspection and if crime is discovered, it needs to carry out a proper criminal investigation. For this reason, in response to suspicious vessels and spy ships, the Japan Coast Guard which is a police organization deals with them as the primary agency in cooperation with relevant government agencies.

The Japan Coast Guard conducts various training as well as closely works with relevant agencies, etc. to exchange information, and thereby strives to detect suspicious vessels and spy ships early as well as to maintain and improve capabilities to cope with them.