as part of provision for prevention of the marine accident. Nautical charts corresponding to fifteen major ports affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake underwent complete revisions based on the results of surveys conducted after the earthquake. These revisions were completed by October 2015.

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

For Aids to Navigation, development is performed effectively and efficiently in accordance with the vessel traffic environment as well as needs and in FY 2015, improvements and renovation was carried out in 388 locations. The operations of virtual aids to navigation as provided through Automatic Identification System (AIS), which displays icons on radar screens for vessels with the use of AIS, began in November 2015 in the Akashi Strait and Tomogashima Channel.

The Marine Accident Analysis Center established under the National Maritime Research Institute (National Research and Development Corporation) 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.

Ensuring the safety of ship navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, highly important maritime transportation routes through which eighty percent of crude oil imported to Japan passes, is important. Cooperation for the financing of the Aids to Navigation Fund $ {}^{Note 1} $ is being provided under the cooperative mechanism $ {}^{Note 2} $ with the involvement of littoral states and users. In addition, new hydrographic surveys on the straits have been conducted since October 2015 jointly by Japan and three littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore). Japan has provided technical cooperation through the provision of financing and the dispatching of experts, by maritime stakeholders. Japan will continue the cooperation for safety of navigation and protection of environment in the straits through public-private partnership, along with the good relationship with the littoral states.

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

About 44% of cases reported about the dead or missing passengers are 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 waterproof package, and effectively use the emergency call number “Dial 118”. In addition, the passenger mortality due to fall in the sea from small boats (fishing boats or pleasure boats), is five 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. Thus, the Japan Coast Guard is endeavoring to raise awareness of the need to wear a life jacket through the provision of support for LGL Note 3 activities, workshops on the prevention of marine casualties, and other initiatives.

## (3) Strengthening the Rescue System

In order to engage in prompt and precise rescue activities, the Japan Coast Guard operates the 1-1-8 emergency telephone hotline and endeavors to rapidly ascertain information on the occurrence of accidents, such as by receiving information on marine accidents at any time, day or night, through the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). 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.