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(1) Traffic Accidents
The number of fatalities in road accidents in 1978 totaled 8,783, showing
a decrease for the eighth consecutive year since 1971. The 1978 total represents
a decline of 47.6% from the record high in 1970. But the number of those injured
in road accidents in 1978 increased slightly over the previous year. Railway
accidents decreased in 1978, killing and injuring fewer persons than in 1977.
Maritime accidents in 1978 involved fewer ships than in the preceding year,
but the number of fatalities and missing persons increased. Air accidents totaled
39 in 1978, or the same as in 1977. But, the number of fatalities was 17 compared
to 8 in 1977. (See Table 8.)
(2) Promotion of Traffic Safety Measures
The Ministry of Transport has been making efforts to ensure traffic safety
in every transportation sector by vigorously enforcing safety measures under
its traffic safety program.
In road traffic, the Council for Transport Technology, an advisory body of
the ministry, reviewed its recommendation made in September 1972 from the standpoint
of ensuring safety with regard to the structure of automobiles and their equipment.
The automobile inspection system was improved and made stricter. For prevention
of accidents which large trucks tend to cause when turning left, the ministry
adopted measures, including one enabling the driver to get a wider field of
vision on a rear-view mirror.
As for railway traffic, the ministry adopted measures for improving the transportation
system itself, including the use of heavier rails. It also made efforts to ensure
safe railway operations by providing education and training for train crews
and supervising and guiding railroad operators.
With respect to maritime traffic, the ministry Improved the environment in
accordance with the Fifth Five-Year Program for Ports and Harbors Improvement.
It also improved the maritime traffic control system and bolstered maritime
rescue forces by, for example, reinforcement of patrol boats and planes.
As regards air traffic, the ministry promoted the improvement and expansion
of security facilities in accordance with the Third Five-Year Program for Airport
Improvement. The training of air traffic controllers was improved and so was
the aircraft inspection and maintenance systems.
(1) Disaster Damage.
Because of its geographical location and meteorological climate, Japan is
prone to be hit by storms, heavy snowfalls, earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic
eruptions, etc. Transportation facilities in this country suffer heavy damage
from such natural phenomena every year.
(2) Promotion of Disaster Prevention Measures
The Ministry of Transport, the Maritime Safety Agency and the Meteorological
Agency had worked out operational plans for prevention of disasters and have
been promoting various measures to that end under the Basic Law Concerning Disaster
Prevention. In the event of a disaster, these governmental agencies would make
all possible efforts for rehabilitation from the disaster by ordering, for example,
emergency mobilization.
For prevention of maritime disasters, the ministry has been pushing for the
establishment of a system whereby the government and private sector can take
concerted action quickly in the event of a huge oil spill or a fire on a ship.
The ministry has been improving and expanding the set-up for removal of spilt
oil and bolstering the marine fire-fighting force. It is also helping to strengthen
the private sector's independent efforts for disaster prevention. Marine Disaster
Prevention Center has been established.
The government also enacted the Law Concerning Emergency Measures Against
Large-Scale Earthquake Disaster in December 1978. Under the law, the government
in August 1979 designated 170 cities and towns of six prefectures in the Tokai
region on the east coast of mainland Honshu as areas where counter-earthquake
measures should be strengthened. At the same time, the government established
a panel of earthquake experts as a personal advisory body for the Director-General
of the Meteorological Agency to pass judgment on the possibility of a large
earthquake occurring in those designated areas.
Environmental pollution is being mitigated generally with the progress
of efforts to improve the environment. The environmental question is now taking
on new aspects as public concern is shifting from industrial pollution to the
quality of their living environment. In particular, there have been various
kinds of law suits and disputes over traffic nuisance which has a close bearing
upon the people's life. Traffic nuisance has now become a major problem
(1) Traffic Nuisance and Countermeasures
a) Automobiles
Strict regulations have been implemented concerning automobile exhaust gas
emissions. The restrictions currently in force are shown in Table
9. The present regulations on gas emission from passenger cars are believed
to be adequate for the time being since they have reduced the contents of carbon
monoxide, NOx and hydrocarbon in car exhaust gas by over 90% from the time when
no such controls were in force. Similar regulations for trucks and buses are
expected to be tightened in 1981.
The reduction of traffic noise in areas facing roads is still insufficient.
The Ministry of Transport, on the basis of recommendations made by the Central
Council for Pollution Countermeasures, strengthened regulations on traffic noise
in 1979. This is expected to reduce noise from vehicles accelerating their speed
by 1 to 5 phons, depending on the type of automobile.
b) Shinkansen The government has granted subsidies for work to soundproof
or relocate schools, homes and other facilities affected by Shinkansen noise.
The use of heavier rails and ballast mats is being encouraged to cope with the
problem of vibrations. Also, maintenance concerning tracks and trains is being
stepped up.
c) Aircraft
The ministry tightened the aircraft noise standards in September 1978 to reduce
the noise at its source in accordance with revised noise standards of the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ministry has also encouraged the reduced-noise
operation of planes and rearrangement of flights and have restricted takeoff
and landing hours. The ministry has also been promoting the introduction of
"low-noise" large-sized aircraft.
For areas adjoining 1 6 airports, the ministry has provided subsidies under
the Aircraft Noise Prevention Law for soundproofing of private houses, compensation
for relocation of buildings and other facilities and construction of buffer
green zones. The ministry has also provided subsidies for soundproofing schools
and hospitals and for construction of facilities for common use. Besides, the
ministry has made the Special Measures Law for Counteracting Aircraft Noise
Around Specified Airport, which went into force on October 19,1978, applicable
to the New Tokyo International Airport. Utilization of the areas around this
airport is under consideration.
(2) Sea Pollution and Countermeasures
The number of sea pollution cases has been declining since 1973. The Maritime
Safety Agency and other related governmental agencies have been stepping up
their sea pollution control efforts. Among measures taken by the Ministry of
Transport are requirement for ships to install equipment for preventing the
discharge of bilge and registration of wastes-discharging vessels.
To prevent pollution in case of oil spill from tankers and oil storage facilities,
such ships and facilities are required to be equipped with oil fences, oil dispersant
and oil absorbent. The owners of tankers are required to take such pollution
prevention measures as to have ready oil recovery boats. Ports have been provided
with oil recovery boats and other necessary equipment and devices for preventing
oil pollution of the sea.
Effective international cooperation is necessary for prevention of sea pollution
which is a global environmental issue. Japan is pushing studies for early ratification
of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes
and Other Matter, 1972, and the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973. The studies involve
establishment of necessary domestic legal measures. The Convention on the Prevention
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, which went into force
on August 30,1975, is aimed at restricting the dumping into sea of wastes, chiefly
those originating on land. The Protocol is designed to strengthen regulations
concerning oil spills from tankers.(Fig.
7)
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