elite communications network that connects the national government with municipalities and municipalities with each other.

## (2) Deploying mobile communications equipment for disaster responses

MIC lends out mobile communications equipment for disaster responses (300 satellite phones, 280 MCA radios, and 900 convenience radios have been deployed to Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications nationwide) in response to requests from local governments and other agencies to ensure they have communications in disaster-affected zones even when mobile phones and other forms of communications are lost.

## (3) Ensuring emergency communication means during disasters

In consideration of the lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake, MIC launched the Study Group on Approaches to Emergency Communications Means during Large-Scale Disasters in November 2015. The Study Group is examining approaches to emergency communications means that are essential for medical care and relief work, based on the assumption that mobile phones and other communications means will be interrupted or congested during a disaster.

Furthermore, given that telecommunication services provided over public communications networks will be difficult to use during a disaster, MIC began in FY 2016 deploying, at Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications and other facilities, attaché-case-sized ICT units developed by MIC. MIC has also established systems to ensure local governments and other agencies have necessary communications means, such as lending out the ICT units in response to requests from disaster-response authorities at local governments and other agencies.

## (4) Establishment of a national early-warning system (J-ALERT)

MIC’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency is establishing J-ALERT, a national early-warning system that instantly communicates emergency information to residents. Using J-ALERT satellites and terrestrial links, the national government (from the Cabinet Secretariat or Meteorological Agency via the Fire and Disaster Management Agency) transmits tsunami warnings, earthquake early warnings, ballistic missile launch notices, and other information that requires immediate action. J-ALERT also automatically activates municipal (broadcast) disaster-management administration radio systems.

## (5) Promotion of disaster preparedness x ICT

MIC is tackling the nationwide rollout of L Alert (a disaster-information sharing system) as a shared platform connecting local governments and lifeline operators that issue evacuation instructions and orders and other public information with broadcasters and communications carriers that transmit public information. L Alert is hoped to be a shared platform both during times of disasters and during the reconstruction period. L Alert can be used to immediately provide residents with necessary public information via various kinds of media, including TV, radio, smartphones, and the Internet.

Furthermore, MIC is promoting coordination between L Alert and G-space information and encouraging local governments to implement L Alert in their disaster-preparedness information systems. These initiatives are being taken to effectively deploy the outcomes of the G-Space Disaster-Preparedness System and, thereby, realize a secure society resilient against disasters. (The G-Space Disaster-Preparedness System was a result of the G-Space City Construction Project and is a cutting-edge disaster-preparedness system constructed using quasi-zenith satellites and other technologies for large-scale disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunami, where damages cover large areas and emergency responses are necessary.)

## Section 10 Developments in Postal Service Administration

### 1. Promoting postal service administration

The 2012 amendment to the Postal Service Privatization Act (Law No. 97 of 2005) expanded the scope of universal service, which had been limited to postal mail service, to cover basic savings and insurance services. The revision also mandated that these services all be made available at post offices. In September 2015, MIC received a final report from the Information and Communications Council, which laid out a direction for measures to ensure the universality of postal services.

### 2. Promoting postal service administration in the international field

As emerging and developing countries tackle modernizing and advancing their postal operations, MIC is working to deploy Japanese-style postal infrastructure systems to these countries. By providing Japan’s superb knowledge and technology in the area of postal operations, we hope to further social and economic development in partner countries and strengthen bilateral ties.

### 3. Promoting the correspondence delivery business

The Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private-Business Operators (Law No. 99 of 2002) paved the way for