2 Organization and Jurisdiction
(1) Organization
MAIA is a unit of the administrative arm of the Ministry of Transport, which is scheduled to join in the Ministry of National Land and Transportation in 2001.
MAIA is independent of the Ministry of Transport on its duty, the marine accidents inquiry. MAIA is composed of the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agencies, the High Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency and the Marine Accidents Inquiry Commissioner's Office.
The Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agencies conduct inquiries in the first instance and are located in Hakodate, Sendai, Yokohama, Kobe, Hiroshima, Moji and Nagasaki. The Moji agency has a branch office in Naha.
The High Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency conducts inquiries in the second instance when the examinee, counselor or commissioner appeals against the judgements in the first instance. It is located in Tokyo.
The Marine Accidents Inquiry Commissioner's Office is an organization to control all the business (investigation of marine accidents, offer for the commencement of inquiry. It is execution of judgement) handled by the commissioners. It is located in Tokyo. There is a Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Commissioner's Office at each place where the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agencies and office are located.
Budget and regular member
Budget Approx. Yen 2,594 million (Year 1999).
Regular member 245 (Year end 1999).
Details: Judge 54,Commissioner 50 (Including Assistant Commissioner of 9), Clerk 141
