August 31, 2021 Implementation of Emergency Communications Drill and Related Emergency Drills as Part of FY2021 Comprehensive Disaster-preparedness Drills

The Central Emergency Communication Conference (chaired by NINOMIYA Seiji, Director-General of the Telecommunications Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)), together with the Regional Emergency Communication Conference in each area, will participate in an emergency communications drill and related emergency drills as part of the fiscal 2021 comprehensive disaster-preparedness drills. Through these drills, they will promote initiatives to contribute to ensuring smooth communication during emergencies.

1. Examples of major activities of the Emergency Communication Conference with participants

1. Emergency communications drill

Disasters disrupt commercial telecommunications lines and disable the transmission of information from disaster-stricken areas using normal communications networks to the Japanese government. This drill will ensure communication from disaster-stricken areas to the Japanese or prefectural governments using private communications networks owned by organizations other than telecommunications carriers and train participants to operate the networks.

2. Drill of transporting mobile communications equipment for disaster recovery

This drill will be conducted to carry in mobile communications equipment for disaster recovery, assuming that a disaster disrupts the fixed communications networks of local governments, and the local governments request mobile communications equipment for emergency use.

3. Other awareness-raising activities related to disaster prevention activities

The Central Emergency Communication Conference will conduct public awareness-raising activities related to disaster prevention activities, such as the display of communication devices that will be useful for disaster recovery activities and support for disaster victims.