ministries are working together to promote the correct understanding and support of the name “Sea of Japan” within the international community.

## (15) Meteorological and Earthquake/Tsunami Sector

Under the framework of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Japanese technology has provided tropical cyclone tracking information as well as meteorological data and exchange of technical information. Also, under the framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), tsunami information from the Northwest Pacific Ocean is provided to various countries to contribute to tsunami disaster prevention.

## (16) Research Sector

Anticipating the spread of the utilization of Japan’s superior infrastructure-related technology, joint research based on road maps to increase locally adaptive traffic safety and create environmentally appropriate paving standards are being conducted in cooperation with regional government institutes in Vietnam and Indonesia. Joint workshops were hosted with Vietnam and Indonesia in 2014 for technical discussions regarding coordinated research projects and exchanges of opinion regarding research cooperation. Other initiatives include the promotion of coordinating with local JICA experts and inviting mid-level and young researchers.

## (17) Coast Guard Sector

Coordination and cooperation between coast guard organizations in various fields—including search and rescue as well as maritime security measures—are being actively promoted through partnership of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (formed by the six countries of Japan, Canada, China, South Korea, Russia, and the United States), the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (18 Asian countries and one region), and bilateral top-level meetings with South Korea and India, as well as coordinated training exercises.

Active participation in international organizations is also being carried out through activities like formulation of the guidelines related in the Automatic Identification System (AIS) Aids to Navigation at International Maritime Organization (IMO), the establishment of standards regarding the creation of hydrographic charts in the various committees of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), leading the Northwest Pacific Ocean region for the International Cospassarsat Programme, participating in the development of next generation AIS at the various committees of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), and dispatching coast guard staff to the Information Sharing Centre under the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). In addition, international contributions are being made through initiatives such as improving the capability of the coast guard sector in developing countries.

## Section 3

## Efforts for International Standardization

## (1) Internationalization of Automobile Standards and Certification Systems

To promote the early and cost-efficient adoption of safe automobiles with high environmental performance, Japan is actively participating in activities such as the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29), and while promoting international harmonization of safety and environmental standards, it also is promoting the international spread of Japanese automobiles with superior safety, environmental features and new technology through participation in these activities. In order to promote such activities, the "Action Plan for the Internationalization of the Regulation and Certification System" with its four pillars of: 1) Strategic international standardization of Japanese technology and standards, 2) Realization of international vehicle certification system (IWVTA), 3) Promoting participation of Asian countries in international harmonization of regulations, and 4) Establishing a framework to handle globalization of standards certification, is being steadily realized to promote the internationalization of automobile regulation and certification systems.