Publications and Documents in Japan. In addition, upon request from the IOC, every year since 1982, it has been carrying out study and training programs in oceanographic data control for the staff of oceanographic enactments of countries in the region where IOC carries out IOC sub-commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) programme.
(2) International Omega Technical Commission (IOTC)
The Omega System is a global system for radio navigation, which Japan and six other countries throughout the world operate. These countries have worked to coordinate the operation of the Omega System. In 1973, they established the International Omega Technical Commission (IOTC), to study the operational problems of the transmission stations each country managed and technical matter.
In addition, the 15th IOTC Conference, held in April 1996, deliberated the future of the Omega system. It decided that it should immediately notify the related government organizations of all countries and key user organizations that there is a strong possibility that the Omega System will be discontinued on September 30, 1997, as a result of the establishment and expansion in recent years of LORAN C, GPS, and other global radio navigation systems that can take the place of the Omega System.
II. Promoting Cooperation and Solidarity with Related Countries
1. Guard and Rescue Operations
(1) Establishment of Search and Rescue (SAR) Systems in the Asian Pacific Region
In recent years, IMO, and other organizations have been continuing their efforts to establish an international search and rescue system.
In June 1985, the "International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 (SAR Convention)" came into force, and at that time 19 countries participated in it. As of May 1996, 54 countries had ratified the convention. The aim of the SAR Convention is to have coastal countries establish domestic systems that enable them to appropriately coordinate rescue operations in response to maritime distress in the waters surrounding their countries, in order to quickly and effectively rescue of victims of maritime distress, and cooperate with other countries concerned. Ultimately, its goal is to create a search and rescue system that will leave no part of the world uncovered, through cooperation among countries concerned.
Japan became a party to the SAR convention in June 1985. Since then, in accordance with the recommendations of the convention, it has been endeavoring to establish a system for international cooperation by establishing the Ship Reporting System, providing patrol
