prevention measures. Furthermore, there is a promotion to revise the nautical charts for the major 15 ports that were affected in the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Regarding the navigation warnings and notices to mariners, visual information that is a beneficial information displayed on a map is provided over the Internet from June 2014.

For Aids to Navigation, development is performed effectively and efficiently in accordance with the vessel traffic environment as well as needs and in FY2014, improvements and renovation was carried out in 354 locations.

Also, of the 158 Aids to Navigation that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the remaining 28 Aids to Navigation (as of March 2015) awaiting restoration, these will be restored in time as the ports and breakwaters are restored.

The “Marine Accident Analysis Center” established under the National Maritime Research Institute (Incorporated Administrative Agency) conducts highly specialized analysis of accidents as well as rapid analysis and transmission of information when major marine accidents occur, and contributes to consider measures to prevent its recurrence.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) is a vital and extremely important sea lane where Japan imports 80% of crude oil. In order to secure safety of navigation in the SOMS, the Government of Japan has been contributing to the Navigation Aids Facilities Fund $ {}^{Note 1} $ under the “Cooperation Mechanism $ {}^{Note 2} $ ”. In the 7th Cooperation Forum in September 2014, the Government of Japan proposed to conduct a hydro-graphic survey of the SOMS again to revise the charts of the SOMS, because 16 years past from the first survey, the seabed topography may have been changed under the influence of tides. In response to this, the literal states consists of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore decided to conduct the survey of the SOMS again in collaboration with Japan in the Three Literal States Technical Experts Conference. Japan will continue the cooperation for navigation safety and environment protection through public-private partnership, along with the good relationship with the coastal countries.

## (2) Promotion of safety measures for the passengers

About 55% of cases reported about the dead or missing passengers is due to fall accidents into sea. In order to survive after the fall, first thing to do is to float, and then promptly request a rescue. For this, the Japanese Coast Guard is working to disseminate and enlighten self-rescue measures based on the three principles: wear a life jacket at all times, ensure appropriate contact means such as a portable telephone packed in a water-proof package, and effectively use the emergency call number “118”. In addition, the passenger mortality due to fall in the sea from small boats (fishing boats or pleasure boats), is 3 times higher in the passengers who do not wear a life jacket, than those who do, therefore, life jackets contribute greatly in saving the passengers from the fall. For this reason, in cooperation with relevant ministries and local government, along with specifying promotion model Marina Note $ ^{3} $ for life jacket wearers, and support towards LGL Note $ ^{4} $ , there has been a promotion to wear life jackets through out the year.

## (3) Strengthening the Rescue System

In order for the Japan Coast Guard to carry out swift and appropriate rescue, distress frequencies are monitored around the clock and an emergency telephone hotline, “Dial 118” is made available to quickly catch accident occurrence information. Also, along with improving the rescue technology and capabilities of those such as special search and rescue units, mobile rescue workers, and divers, enhancements and fortifications of the medical control framework to ensure the quality of emergency life-saving treatment that emergency response personnel perform as well as advancing the functionality of patrol vessels and aircraft is being carried out as part of efforts to enhance and fortify the rescue and emergency system. Also, the enhancement and fortification of coordination between ministries, agencies, local governments, and private rescue organizations is also being carried out.