## (4) Information Security Measures

As the dependence on IT for socioeconomic activities in general continues to grow, various cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent such as email attacks targeted toward government institutions, increasing the importance of initiatives for information security measures. As we prepare to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, information security measures will need to be further fortified.

For this reason, the MLIT is engaged in information security measures, such as by reinforcing information system functions and enhancing and fortifying arrangements for coping with cyber-attacks, in accordance with the policy formulated by the government’s Cybersecurity Strategy Headquarters. In implementing information security measures for areas of critical infrastructure (aviation, railway, and logistics), efforts are being made in collaboration with the National center of Incident readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) to improve the ability of critical infrastructure in each area to deal with cyber-attacks through drills involving hypothetical cyber-attacks.

## Establishing a Response System for Accident Disasters

When accident disasters such as accidents involving multiple fatalities occur on rail, air, etc. or ships are involved in oil spill accidents, a disaster response headquarters is established within the MLIT to develop a system to collect and aggregate precise information quickly and be able to implement disaster emergency measures with relevant government agencies.

For accident disasters at sea, coordination with relevant organizations is being furthered such as ensuring a dispatch system for patrol vessels and aircraft and readying disaster mitigation equipment in addition to implementing joint training. Also, environmental protection information on coastal waters needed to contain oil, etc., is being compiled and provided.

## 3 Strengthening the Coast Guard System

## (1) Improving and Strengthening the Operational System

In addition to making sure to police territorial waters and control foreign fishing vessels in the sea area around the Senkaku Islands, the Coast Guard is steadily developing new jet airplanes and regulatory capacity advanced patrol vessels in order to adequately respond without security holes to suspicious incidents and unlawful conduct in sea areas around Japan, including remote islands. We will also systematically proceed with the replacement of superannuated patrol vessels with helicopters, other patrol vessels and aircraft with alternative high-performance patrol vessels and aircraft and the development of relevant facilities.

## (2) Promoting Counter-Terrorism Measures

As measures to prevent terrorism, nuclear power plants, petroleum complexes, and other important facilities in coastal areas are subject to surveillance and detection functions carried out by patrol vessels and aircraft. Passenger terminals, ferries, and other soft targets where large numbers of people can be found are also subject to surveillance and detection functions on a priority basis.

Counter-terrorism measures are also being carried out by public-private partnerships formed through close ties with relevant organizations and local governments. Such measures include the provision of thorough guidance to business operators on the matter of self-security, increased awareness of the risks of terrorism committed against passengers, calls for the early detection of suspicious incidents, and the implementation of joint drills on counter-terrorism measures.

In addition, we are striving to reinforce counter-terrorism measures in anticipation of the hosting of the Ise-Shima Summit in 2016 and the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

## (3) Promoting Measures Against Suspicious Vessels and Spy Ships

It is well known that suspicious vessels and spy ships are probably engaged in serious crime in our country’s territorial waters and to shed light on their objectives and activities, suspicious boats needs to be stopped for boarding inspection and if crime is discovered, it needs to carry out a proper criminal investigation. For this reason, in response to suspicious vessels and spy ships, the Japan Coast Guard which is a police organization deals with them as the primary agency in