the international civil aviation, as one of the 11 Council Members, Part I - States of chief importance in air transport.

In June 2013, the ICAO has launched the APAC Sub-Office in Beijing which belongs to the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok, with the objective of enhancing ATM capabilities within the APAC region. Japan has been making contributions to ICAO APAC Regional Sub-Office's activities, for instance, by dispatching experts with the perspective of making contribution to ICAO, as well as making strategic use of such opportunities.

Also, during the 38th Session of ICAO Assembly held from 24 September to 4 October 2013, the decision was made to establish a global framework for reducing CO $ _{2} $ emissions against climate change in the area of international civil aviation. Japan contributed towards concluding the agreement by actively participating in discussions to harmonize the various conflicting interests.

### c. United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

The United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is an international conference organized by the United Nations to discuss international disaster reduction strategy and the first (Yokohama, 1994) and second (Kobe, 2005) were held in Japan. At the second conference, the “Hyogo Framework for Action”, a plan of action for international disaster prevention from 2005 to 2015, was adopted. At the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai in March 2015, the creation of a successor framework to the Hyogo Framework for Action is planned and Japan considers this an important opportunity to make an international contribution to show the world the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and share Japan’s experience and knowledge regarding disaster reduction with international society.

Also, at international conferences such as the Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (Thailand, May 2013), High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disaster (June 2013, Japan), and Budapest Water Summit (October 2013, Hungary), MLIT emphasized the importance of prevention as well as calling on relevant countries and organizations for high-level participation in the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. In addition, on occasions such as the bilateral meetings held with the U.S., South Korea, and EU in fiscal 2013, participants discussed the points to be emphasized for the successor framework to the Hyogo Framework for Action based on the lessons learned from many disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake.

## 3 Cross-Sectoral Endeavors

## (1) Bilateral Vice-ministerial Level Meetings

### a. Myanmar

In March 2013 the “1st Vice-Ministerial Level Meeting between MOT of Myanmar and MLIT of Japan” was held in Myanmar with their Ministry of Transport, Union of Myanmar to confirm the current status and challenges concerning Myanmar’s projects in the fields of maritime, ports, aviation, and meteorology and agreed upon strengthening cooperation towards planned infrastructure development including master plan formulation.

Also in December 2013, the “1st Vice-Ministerial Level Meeting between MORT of Myanmar and MLIT of Japan” was held in Myanmar with their Ministry of Rail Transportation and agreed to conduct studies on the current situation of rail infrastructure and automobile transport policy and future challenges as well as evaluate the implementation of cooperation.

In addition, the “1st Japan-Myanmar Construction Vice-Ministerial Level Meeting” was held in 2014 January in Myanmar and information was exchanged on the road, architecture, and housing sector, the legislative system regarding the construction industry, as well as the initiatives, challenges, and technology of both nations.

### b. Indonesia

The “1st Japan-Indonesia Construction Vice-Ministerial Level Meeting” was held in Indonesia in September 2013 and at the plenary session, information was exchanged on the life cycle cost/maintenance and management of infrastructure and at the individual working sessions, information was exchanged on efforts, challenges, technology, and other topics in the two countries regarding the fields of roads, erosion control, water resources, sewerage, and architecture.