Volume3.　Air Transport


(1)　Trends in aviation accidents


　　In recent years, the number of accidents involving civil aircraft in Japan has remained relatively stable, despite a dramatic expansion in air traffic. In 1998 there were 35 accidents resulting in 75 casualties, including 21 fatalities (See Table 1).


(2)　Major measures for air traffic safety


1)　Planned development of airports and aviation safety facilities is proceeding in accordance with the Seventh Seven-Year Airport Development Plan (FY1996-FY2002).

2)　Work is continuing on preparing for the implementation of a next-generation aviation safety system based on the Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT), scheduled to be launched in August 1999. Efforts in this area include development and improvement of various facilities for communication, navigation and monitoring.

3)　Concerns about the earthquake resistance of airports and aviation safety facilities are being addressed through efforts to upgrade existing facilities (improvement of government office buildings in accordance with their inspections) and by duplication of air traffic control facilities and services (installation of alternative air traffic control services and emergency radars).

4)　The government is also working to raise safety standards for the operation of regular commercial flights by promoting better training of aircraft crews, improving aircraft operation control systems and ensuring that aircraft maintenance systems are thorough.

5)　To help prevent accidents involving small aircraft, the government is calling for a comprehensive commitment to accident prevention, in the form of strict compliance to all applicable laws and regulations, use of sensible flight plans, careful and precise monitoring of

Table 1 Changes in Aviation Accidents and Casualties (Civil Aircraft)

Aircraft Type
Fiscal
Year

Number of Accidents

Number of Casualties
Large
Aircraft
Small size
Aircraft
Ultra-light
Aircraft
Heli-
copters
Gyro-
planes
Gliders
Airships
Total
Fatalities
Injuries
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
3
3
1
5
3
3
5
4
7
11
11
14
3
8
10
5
3
5
17
13
6
8
8
6
1
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
1
4
3
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
31
30
25
33
30
35
5
277
9
23
28
21
197
14
24
206
34
54

Notes: 1. Source: Ministry of Transport
2. All figures as of the end of December each year.
3. Includes accidents involving Japanese aircraft outside Japan (1 case in 1998).
4. Includes accidents involving foreign aircraft within Japan (2 cases in 1994, 1 case in 1995, 1 case in 1996, 1 case in 1998).
5. Excludes incidents involving death due to illness which occurred on board aircraft (1 case in 1993, 3 cases in 1995, 3 cases in 1996, 1 case in 1997).
6. Fatalities include missing persons and persons who lost in-flight.
7. The injury figures for 1997 and 1998 are provisional (owing to the fact that some accident investigation reports have been withheld).
8. Home-built aircraft have been categorized as small size aircraft until 1994 and have been categorized as ultra-light aircraft since 1995.

weather conditions, and rigorous and exhaustive training of pilots.

6)　The government is issuing guidelines to all organizations involved with aeronautic sports and recreational activities (e.g. skydiving) on matters such as safety awareness and skills improvement training for enthusiasts. In another initiative for ensuring safety in this area, the government is promoting the Authorization System for Excellent Sky Leisure Areas.