### 3. Initiatives in Relation to Elderly People

## (1) Sophistication of Disaster Information Transmission Means

MIC will conduct a demonstration test in seven local communities to verify the effectiveness of information delivery systems to be developed in accordance with the characteristics of information recipients using such tools as TVs and tablet terminals.

## (2) Stable Operation of J-Alert

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency, MIC, has developed the nationwide instantaneous alarm system, “J-Alert.” This system sends emergency information on urgent circumstances provided by the national government, such as earthquake early warning or other natural disaster information and civil protection information like the one concerning ballistic missile launch, by the use of satellite lines and terrestrial lines. The system automatically activates municipal disaster radio systems to universally provide emergency information, and also sends civil protection information as an emergency warning mail to individuals’ mobile phones and smartphones.

### 4. Major Initiatives for Infrastructure Development that Enables Information Transmission upon a Disaster

## (1) Development of Resilient Fire and Disaster Prevention Communication Networks

As major fire and disaster prevention communication networks, there are (i) the central disaster prevention wireless network for information collection and transmission within the national government, (ii) the fire and disaster prevention radio system linking the Fire and Disaster Management Agency and prefectures, (iii) the prefectural disaster prevention radio system linking prefectures and municipalities, (iv) the municipal disaster prevention radio system linking municipalities and residents, and (v) the satellite communication network linking the national government and local governments or linking local governments together.

## (2) Dissemination and Promotion of Auto Start Radios Using Community Broadcasting and Multiplication of Disaster Prevention Information and Disaster Information

In order to ensure community-based information transmission to elderly people upon a disaster, MIC will consider new support measures to financially assist local governments' efforts to disseminate auto start radios.

## (3) Deployment of Transmitters and Other Equipment for Temporary Disaster Broadcast Stations

Temporary disaster broadcast stations are temporarily established in the event of an earthquake or other disaster with the aim of contributing to mitigating damage. MIC deploys transmitters and other equipment to Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications, which are used for drills and training in normal times and are lent out to local governments upon a disaster. This helps prompt establishment of temporary disaster broadcast stations when a disaster occurs.

## (4) Lending of Mobile Communication Devices in Preparation for Disasters

MIC lends out mobile communication devices in preparation for disasters to local governments so that communications can be secured in the event of a disaster even if mobile phone communications are disrupted.

## (5) Ensuring Emergency Communication Means at the Time of a Disaster

In preparation for such cases as where telecom services via public communication networks are suspended upon a disaster, MIC has developed a system to lend out originally developed ICT units (in an attache case form) to local governments' disaster prevention organizations as requested to help them secure necessary communication means. In May 2017, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) decided to introduce the ICT units (in an attache case form) as emergency communication means to be provided to disaster-stricken areas worldwide.

### 5. Other Initiatives: Promotion of G-Space Information Use

MIC has promoted the use of geospatial information (G-space information) using ICT and conducted demonstration projects such as the “G-space City Construction Project.” Through these efforts, MIC has established an advanced disaster prevention system.