cooperation with relevant government agencies.

The Japan Coast Guard conducts various training as well as closely works with relevant agencies, etc. to exchange information, and thereby strives to detect suspicious vessels and spy ships early as well as to maintain and improve capabilities to cope with them.

## (4) Promoting Measures against Maritime Crimes

Examples of recent trends that we are seeing in terms of maritime crimes include cases in which domestic poaching is carried out by poachers and buyers working in tandem and cases in which funding is provided by crime syndicates. Environmental offences, such as cases in which waste products are illegally dumped into the ocean to avoid having to pay for treatment costs, continue to be perpetrated. These offenses are becoming more aggravated and increasingly sophisticated. Cases in which foreign fishing vessels are found to be illegally operating continue to arise. Some vessels operate unlawfully under cover of darkness to evade control. Such cases are also becoming more aggravated and increasingly sophisticated. International criminal organizations are also getting involved in the smuggling and the stowaway. Regarding various maritime crimes, there is still a need for vigilance and Japan Coast Guard is strengthening surveillance and law enforcement, gathering and analyzing crime information, and strengthening boarding inspections by effectively utilizing patrol vessels and aircraft as well as sharing information with relevant domestic and foreign organizations as part of the efforts to pursue effective measures and take strict yet appropriate measures against maritime crimes.

## 4 National Security and Protection of 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, 2017 in April 2015. In response to nuclear testing conducted in January 2016 and the launching of a ballistic missile referred to as a 'satellite' in February of the same year, a Cabinet decision was made based on the same Act on the nineteenth day of the same month to bar any third-country ships verified through procedures set forth under Japanese law as having made a port of call in North Korea from entering a Japanese port. 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 the measures banning exports to North Korea such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, in accordance with the Special Measures Law Regarding Cargo Inspections, etc., of Japan in Accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, etc., close coordination with relevant administrative agencies is promoted to ensure the effectiveness of measures stipulated by the law.

Based on the repeated occurrences of North Korean transgressions, contingency measures have been thoroughly taken to fortify response systems, including those harnessed for the collection and transmission of information. A system for monitoring and keeping track of North Korea remains in effect. Even in the wake of nuclear testing conducted on January 6, 2016 and the launching of a ballistic missile referred to as a 'satellite' on February 7 of the same year, ministerial directives called for the collection of information and the provision of necessary information to ensure the safety and security of the people.

## (2) Responding to Armed Attacks 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 and Basic Guidelines for Protection of the People that stipulates measures regarding the evacuation, rescue and minimization of losses due to armed attacks, etc., the MLIT, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and Japan Coast Guard stipulate Plan for the Protection of the People. The MLIT has stipulated that support for engaging in communications and coordinating with designated public institutions as public carriers in connection with the transporting of refugees in response to local government requests shall be provided. The Japan Coast Guard has stipulated that the implementation of measures for alarms and evacuations shall be communicated and that required measures, such as those to be taken to help guide refugees, shall be implemented.