(9) Protecting Victims with the Automobile Liability Security System

The automobile liability security system, implements various victim relief measures such as insurance payments of Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance, governmental indemnity services (relief for victims of hit-and-run and uninsured car accidents), and payments for nursing care fees and administration of nursing care centers for those with severe residual disabilities based on the principle of the mutual support of the car society and is fulfilling a big role in protecting victims of traffic accidents.

## (10) Safety Measures for Mechanized car parking

In light of the occurrence of accidents involving deaths in mechanized car parking, we are proceeding with studies of JIS standardization of safety standards applicable to mechanical parking equipment together with industry groups in order to endeavor to further improve the safety of mechanical parking equipment.

Section 5

## Crisis Management and Security Measures

## 1 Promoting Crime and Terrorism Counter-measures

(1) Coordinating with Other Countries for Crisis Management and Security Measures

(i) International Initiatives for Security

In addition to participating in meetings and projects in the field of transport security at international organizations such as Group of Eight (G8), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), this knowledge is applied to domestic security measures while promoting initiatives for international cooperation and harmony.

The “International Working Group on Land Transport Security (IWGLTS)” established in 2006 currently has a participation of over 16 nations and is expected to further evolve as a framework for bilateral dialogue with the United States of America and European Union on land transport security and it will be utilized to improve domestic security and international contributions.

## (ii) Anti-Piracy Measures

According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), there were 246 instances of piracy and armed robbery in 2015. Broken down by region, the sea area around Southeast Asia accounted for 147 instances, Africa (Gulf of Guinea) accounted for thirty-one instances, and the sea area around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden accounted for zero instances.

While the number of heinous cases of piracy increased rapidly in the sea area around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden beginning in 2008, such cases have declined to low levels in recent years thanks to anti-piracy efforts by the navies of different countries, the implementation of self-defense measures based on best-management practices (BMP) $ ^{Note} $ on the part of merchant ships, and the initiatives of the international community, such as in terms of the presence of armed security on board merchant ships. Nevertheless, cases in which vessels are pursued by suspicious boats continue to emerge and circumstances in terms of the navigation of merchant ships remain unpredictable.

Under this situation, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers are conducting escorts of merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden as well as surveillance patrols by two P-3C patrol aircraft based on the Law on Punishment of and Measures Against Acts of Piracy. The MLIT provides a contact point for escort requests from shipping companies and others and