network and ensuring the continuity of hinterland economic activity. 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.

For railway works, in preparation for the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake and Tokyo Inland Earthquake, earthquake measures for major stations, elevated bridges, and other railway facilities are being promoted. Also, the fortification of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge's (Hon-Shi Bisan Line) earthquake resistance is being steadily implemented to avoid and reduce damages due to the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake and other events and secure the railway network that connects Honshu and Shikoku.

For sewage works, to ensure the functions required of sewers during earthquakes, “disaster prevention” such as strengthening the earthquake and tsunami resistance of water pipeline infrastructure and water treatment facilities that connect disaster prevention bases with treatment plants and “disaster mitigation” which aims to minimize damages in anticipation of disasters striking are being combined for the promotion of integrated earthquake measures.

### h. Sediment-related Disaster Countermeasures against Large-Scale Earthquakes

In preparation for large-scale earthquakes such as the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake, implementation of effective sediment-related disaster countermeasures with combination of non-structural and structural measures are being promoted for the areas at risk of sediment-related disasters where important facilities and important transportation networks will be damaged and communities will be isolated by the landslides.

Also, after a large-scale earthquake, rainfall and aftershocks increase the risk of secondary disasters such as slope failures over a wide area. It is essential to swiftly assess a risk of slope failures according to various factors such as seismic intensity and terrain. It is also important to conduct emergency inspections at high-risk areas, and carry out emergency measures appropriately on the basis of the inspection results for preventing damage of secondary disasters. For this purpose, efforts are being made to strengthen the system for improving the accuracy of risk assessment and conducting inspections in wide area.

### i. Japan Meteorological Agency Initiatives

To prevent and mitigate disasters caused by earthquakes, seismic activities in and around Japan as well as crustal deformation in the Areas under Intensified Measures against Earthquake Disaster (Tokai Region) are being monitored 24/7 basis to provide Earthquake Early Warnings (EEWs), earthquake information, and information on the Tokai Earthquake as swiftly and accurately as possible.

For Earthquake Early Warning(EEWs), the software of the calculation systems is being improved and effective use of the data obtained by the seismometers installed offshore and deep in the ground by the relevant organizations is being promoted. These improvements lead to more accurate and more prompt issuance of the Earthquake Early Warning, even when multiple earthquakes occur at the same time as well as when a large earthquake occurs.

In addition, to provide useful information that will contribute to the initial response immediately after the earthquake such as the early detection of human and fixture damage caused by long-period ground motion, from March 2013, information on observation of long-period ground motion is being issued on a trial basis. Also, studies are being conducted to provide a forecast of long-period ground motion.

### j. Japan Coast Guard Initiatives

To contribute to research on the fundamental causes of earthquakes, crustal movements of the seafloor are being observed in the Pacific Ocean waters such as the Japan Trench and Nankai Trough where the occurrence of massive trench-type earthquakes is predicted. Also, in coastal areas and the Izu Islands, GNSS observations are being used to monitor crustal movements.