## (4) Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters

Japan is steep with a geology that is complex and vulnerable over a wide area with approximately 520,000 areas that are in danger of sediment disasters such as debris flow, landslides, and slope failure where sediment-related disasters caused by concentrated heavy rainfall and earthquakes averaged approximately 1,000 cases per year over the past ten years (2004-2013) resulting in severe damages. Also, sediment-related disasters claim a large share of victims amongst natural disasters. For this reason, developing sediment control facilities in priority areas with an acute need for measures; creating a safe and appropriate warning and evacuation frameworks consisting of self, mutual, and government assistance; efficient sediment-related disaster measures consisting of integrated soft and hard measures are being promoted to reduce the number of victims claimed by sediment-related disasters.

### a. Fundamental Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters

Rivers with a headstream area in a dilapidated mountain terrain can cause extensive damages to the entire river basin from the sediment discharge it creates. To protect the national land from such sediment disasters and strive to protect human lives, the development of sediment control-related facilities is being promoted.

### b. Emergency Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters in Sediment Disaster Affected Areas

Through the concentrated development of erosion control facilities including areas prone to sediment-related disasters and surrounding regions, in recent years, measures to prevent the re-occurrence of disasters in areas that experienced a large sediment-related disaster are being promoted.

### c. Emergency Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters for People Requiring Assistance During Disasters

For facilities used by those requiring assistance during disasters such as hospitals, nursing homes, and kindergartens located in areas at risk of sediment-related disasters, the development of sediment-related control dams and other sediment-related disaster mitigation facilities are heavily prioritized.

Also, based on the “Act on Promotion of Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone Areas (Sediment Disasters Prevention Act)”, the development of facilities used by those requiring assistance during disasters is restricted in sediment disaster prone areas.

### d. Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters for Urban Areas Near Mountain Base Slopes

For urban areas at the foot of the mountain prone to sediment-related disasters, the preservation and fostering of forestry bands (green belts) that strive to prevent sediment-related disasters and create a living environment with abundant greenery allow for the creation of a safe and environmentally rich urban space.

### e. Countermeasures against Sediment-related Disasters Measures that Improve Regional Disaster Prevention

In hilly and mountainous regions where sediment-related disasters can cause devastating damage to the society and economy, the warning and evacuation system of villages are strengthened and the conservation of important facilities and disaster prevention backbone villages are being promoted.