Chapter 8 Promotion of Safety, Disaster Prevention and Environment
Measures
8. 1 Guarantee of Traffic Safety
Traffic safety is one of the prime objectives of transport administration.
The Ministry of Transport annually draws up safety plans for transport businesses,
and positively implements these plans in all areas of transport that cover land,
sea and air transportation. In 1987, there occurred some serious traffic-related
disasters; among them are the rear-end collision accident on the Tohoku Expressway,
the fire in a tunnel along the line of Kinki Nippon Railway and the troubles of
jack rabbit start and sudden acceleration of cars equipped with automatic transmission.
The Ministry of Transport is taking steps to prevent these kinds of accidents.
(Fig. 24(1)(2)(3)(4))
To save the victims of automobile accidents, the project for improving the
sanitarium for those suffering serious troubles of their consciousness in Sendai
was started. For the purpose of securing safe navigation of ships, the Bisan-Seto
Maritime Traffic Center began a full-scale operation, while a new system was introduced
for the renewal of validity of marine engineers' licenses. The Aircraft Accident
Investigation Commission presented a report on its study of the causes of the
Japan Air Lines plane's accident. Measures have been taken in accordance with
the recommendations and proposals made by the Commission.
(Table 10)
8. 2 Guarantee of Safe Navigation in the Persian Gulf
As the Iran-Iraq War is growing serious, safe navigation in the Persian Gulf
is hindered greatly, and in 1987 four Japanese ships were shot while sailing in
the Gulf. The Ministry of Transport held meetings of the parties concerned to
exchange information and to study concrete steps for safe navigation in the area,
and has been endeavoring to secure undisturbed navigation of ships in the Gulf.
8. 3 Promotion of Disaster Prevention Measures
The Basic Law for Disaster Prevention Measures designates the Ministry of Transport,
Maritime Safety Agency and Meteorological Agency as administrative organs for
measures to prevent disasters. The three agencies formulate disaster prevention
plans, and undertake comprehensively and systematically projects for reinforcing
the systems for meteorological observation, weather forecast and forecasting and
predicting earthquakes and eruptions of volcanos. They also carry out disaster
prevention measures for transport and traffic facilities, plans for coastal protection
and other land preservation and repair work for ports and harbors.
In November 1986, Mt. Mihara in Izu-Oshima Island erupted and caused damage
with its lava. A number of countermeasures were introduced to cope with the disasters
resulting from the eruption.
8. 4 Environmental Protection
To solve air pollution by NOx (nitrogen oxides), noises and other problems
of traffic pollution, a variety of preventive measures have already been taken.
Steps for pollution sources and preventive actions in the polluted districts
are among them. In the years ahead, too, there is the need to pay sufficient
attention to environmental protection in the planning of traffic measures.
As for the prevention of marine pollution, attempts have been made to respond
to international pollution control needs, including new restrictions on the
discharge of hazardous liquids from ships.
