## 5 Security and Protecting Citizen’s Lives and Assets

## (1) Responding to North Korea Issues

In response to the North Korea launching ballistic missiles and conducting nuclear tests, in accordance with the “Act on Special Measures concerning Prohibition of Entry of Specified Ships into Ports”, all ships registered to North Korea are prohibited from entering Japan’s ports and in light of the international situation this measure was extended to April 13, 2015. To ensure the implementation of these measures, the Japan Coast Guard is conducting the confirmation of information regarding the arrivals of North Korean-flagged ships. Also, to ensure the effectiveness of import and export restriction measure against North Korea such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, in accordance with the “Act on Special Measures concerning Cargo Inspections etc. Conducted by the Government Taking into Consideration United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, etc.”, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Japan Coast Guard is coordinating closely with relevant administrative agencies to ensure the effectiveness of measures stipulated by the law.

Also, in light of leadership changes at North Korea, MLIT is strengthening its readiness including information gathering and communication to thoroughly implement measures in preparation of worst case scenarios and will continue to maintain the monitoring and watching framework. Also, for the cases of missile launches referred to “artificial satellites” conducted by North Korea on April 13 and December 12, 2012, and nuclear tests conducted by North Korea on February 12, 2013, information was collected and shared as part of the efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of citizens.

## (2) Responding to Armed Attacks Situations and Other Situations Under the Civil Protection Plan

In accordance with the “Act concerning the Measures for Protection of the People in Armed Attack Situations, etc” and “Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People” which stipulates measures regarding the evacuation, rescue and minimization of losses due to armed attacks situations, etc., MLIT, the Geospatial Information authority of Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and Japan Coast Guard stipulate “Civil Protection Plan Note”. MLIT will implement support such as communication and coordination with designated public institutions which are transport business operators for the transport of evacuating residents in accordance with requests from local government; the Japan Coast Guard is designated to carry out the transport of evacuating residents and emergency supplies when the transport capacity of designated public institutions is insufficient and to carry out search, rescue, and emergency activities.

## 6 Infectious Disease Measures

For countermeasures against pandemic influenza and new infectious diseases, in May 2012 the “the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response (hereinafter Act on Special Measures)” was established and put into effect in April 2013. The Act on Special Measures is designed to limit the spread of infections as much as possible, protect the life and health of national citizens, and minimize impact to citizen’s lives and the national economy by: 1) businesses in general must work to cooperate with prevention and countermeasures and consider impacts due to epidemics and work to implement appropriate countermeasures in conducting business, 2) registered business operators as requiring prior vaccination must continue to carry out business activities that contribute to the stability of citizen’s lives and economy even during outbreaks, and 3) designated public institutions are required by regulation to implement countermeasures against breakouts of pandemic influenza and new infectious diseases, and designated public institutions which are transport business operators must establish individual business plans in the event of a pandemic influenza and New Infectious Diseases emergency and carry out necessary measures to appropriately implement the transport of passengers or cargo.

In June 2013, the National Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases of JAPAN (hereinafter National Action Plan) based on the Act on Special Measures was approved by the Cabinet and it includes countermeasures against pandemic influenza and new infectious diseases such as the basic policy, the implementation system, surveillance and intelligence gathering, prevention and stopping of outbreaks, medical treatment, and ensuring the stability of the citizen's lives and the national economy for the various outbreak stages of pandemic influenza and new infectious diseases.

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