weather reports, their ship positions are automatically transmitted to JMSA.
JMSA also maintains DSC, NBDP (refer to Section II-8 of Chapter 4), etc., equipment that accommodates GMDSS, at its coast radio stations. It is possible to send reports using this equipment.
(2) Regional Cooperation Related to Marine Environmental Protection
Regarding marine environmental protection, IMO led in the establishment of policy to prevent pollution through the MARPOL 73/78 Convention and has been working actively from the past in this field. To prevent damage from large-scale oil spill accidents, it is necessary for those involved to be united and to have a system that can quickly devise appropriate oil removal measures using sophisticated techniques, equipment, and materials. It is for this reason that in 1990, IMO adopted the OPRC Convention (in force as of May 1995), which aims to strengthen the oil removal readiness of individual countries and establish an international system of cooperation for the purpose of limiting the effect on the marine environment of large oil spill accidents. Japan became a party to the OPRC Convention in October 1995 (effective for Japan as of January 1996).
As the OPRC Convention stipulates as well, each country is expected to promote the establishment of an oil removal system and the provision of equipment, materials, and technological support, as requested, when an accident occurs. Also, countries are expected to promote international cooperation, such as education and training programs, technical cooperation, and joint research and development, during normal times.
Regarding regional cooperation related to marine pollution with neighboring countries, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is promoting the "Northwest Pacific Region Action Plan" (NOWPAP) for Japan, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Russia. JMSA participates in the planning of NOWPAP by dispatching personnel to meetings of specialists, and intends to continue to actively accommodate the plan.
Japan promotes international cooperation among ASEAN countries, through indirect aid. Together with the Ministry of Transport, JMSA has been promoting the "Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in the ASEAN Region" (OSPAR Project) since FY 1990. This project aims to organize an international regional emergency prevention and cleanup system for massive oil spills. Since agreement was reached concerning specific measures at the Third OSPAR Cooperative Conference, held in Tokyo, in May 1993; by January 1995, Japan had supplied ASEAN countries with the equipment and materials to improve oil removal capabilities in the region.
JMSA has been actively involved in bilateral cooperation efforts from the past, through meetings of specialists from the oil removal organizations of other countries. After the adoption of the OPRC Convention in 1990, Japan and the U.S. have been further promoting
