Furthermore, in July 1994, the two countries agreed on the Guidelines for Cooperation on Maritime Search and Rescue Between the Maritime Safety Agency and Russian Federation Ministry of Transport, Department of Maritime Transport, State Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center. Japan and the Russian Federation held their first joint training exercise in September 1994, and their second in September 1995. The two countries are working to further promote search and rescue cooperation between them.
In addition, in May 1990, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the country with which Japan has the most active shipping traffic, concluded the Agreement Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Maritime Search and Rescue and Emergency Refuge of Vessels (Japan-Korea SAR Agreement), which is in line with the aims of the SAR Convention. Since the Republic of Korea became a party to the SAR Convention in September 1995, hereafter both countries will be endeavoring to cooperate further to carry out bilateral search and rescue operations.
In June 1996, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Russia, coastal countries of the Sea of Japan, met together for the first time to hold a working-level meeting of search and rescue organizations. The three countries discussed matters such as coordinated search and rescue activities.
Furthermore, Japan is carrying out working-level discussions with the People's Republic of China, as well, in order to conclude an SAR Agreement with that country.
b. Ship Reporting System
The Ship Reporting System, which the SAR Convention recommends establishing, makes it possible to carry out search and rescue activities rapidly and precisely in times of distress at sea. It does this through computerized control of information, such as the navigation plans and positions of ships, provided by member ships, and by keeping watch over the movements of ships.
JMSA began operating the Japanese Ship Reporting System (JASREP) from October 1985. As of March 1996, a total of about 260,000 ships are participating in this system.
Furthermore, JASREP works in cooperation with the United States' Ship Reporting System (AMVER), which covers the sea area adjacent to JASREP'S target area. For ships that want to participate in both systems concurrently, JMSA and USCG exchange data to accommodate participating ships. The systems are also linked with weather reporting data. In accordance with the wishes of ships sending
