August 30, 2024 Conducting Emergency Communications Drills and Other Activities during the FY 2024 Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Exercise

 The Central Emergency Communications Council, chaired by YUMOTO Hironobu, Director-General of the Telecommunications Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), along with a Regional Emergency Communications Council, will participate in emergency communications drills and related activities during the FY 2024 Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Exercise held in each region. These exercises aim to promote initiatives that help ensure smooth communication during emergencies. Regional Emergency Communications Councils are established nationwide in each region.

1. Examples of major activities by the Emergency Communications Council in each region

1. Emergency communications drill

 During an emergency, it is assumed that ordinary communications networks may fail due to disruptions in telecommunications carrier lines or prefectural disaster prevention radio systems, hindering information transmission from the disaster-affected area to the national government. To prevent this, self-managed communications networks owned by other organizations are used to ensure communication between the disaster-affected area and the prefectural or national government. Training is conducted to effectively utilize and operate these self-managed communications networks.

2. Training for bringing in mobile communications equipment for disaster response

 During an emergency, communications equipment maintained by a local government may be damaged, disrupting the communications system. In preparation for this situation, training will be conducted to bring in mobile communications equipment for disaster response.

3. Other activities to raise awareness of disaster prevention activities, etc.

 We will conduct activities to raise public awareness of disaster prevention activities, including exhibitions of communications equipment and other items that will be useful in disaster recovery efforts and in assisting disaster victims.

[For reference] Emergency Communications Council

 The MIC plays a central role in the Emergency Communications Council, which is comprised of approximately 2,200 persons from related ministries and agencies involved in emergency communications, local governments, and designated public organizations to radio station licensees. The Emergency Communications Council is organized and operated by the Central Emergency Communications Council, Regional Emergency Communications Councils, and District Emergency Communications Councils.