Large-Scale Earthquake Countermeasures Special Measures Act

This law aims to strengthen earthquake disaster prevention measures by prescribing special measures for various matters in order to protect the lives, bodies, and property of the people from disasters caused by large-scale earthquakes, thereby contributing to the maintenance of social order and ensuring public welfare. Abbreviated as the Great Earthquake Law. It consists of 40 articles and supplementary provisions. Enacted in June 1978 (Showa 53). Law No. 73 of 1978 (last revised in 2007, Law No. 93). It came into effect in December 1978.

After the Tokai earthquake theory was proposed in the fall of 1976, the government made efforts to strengthen earthquake observation systems, particularly in the Suruga Bay area, and just as Shizuoka Prefecture was making great efforts to strengthen its earthquake disaster prevention system, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Izu Oshima on January 14, 1978. This prompted work on special legislation regarding earthquake disaster prevention to be carried out, and this law was enacted.

The main contents are as follows:
(1) The Prime Minister shall designate as an area requiring strengthened earthquake disaster prevention measures those areas in which there is a risk of significant damage in the event of a large-scale earthquake occurring within the earth's crust that is deemed to be particularly susceptible to the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake.
(2) Strengthen the observation system in the designated strengthened areas, and prepare for the case that an earthquake is predicted by having certain personnel draw up plans for earthquake disaster prevention and conduct drills.
(3) When an earthquake disaster alert is issued, an earthquake disaster alert headquarters will be established and emergency earthquake disaster prevention measures will be implemented in accordance with the earthquake disaster prevention plan that was formulated in advance.
(4) Furthermore, necessary measures will be taken to smoothly implement emergency measures against earthquake disasters, such as restricting traffic and providing emergency public expenses.
etc. are stipulated.

As of April 2010, this law is limited to the Tokai earthquake, and a total of 160 cities, towns, and villages have been designated as strengthened areas in Shizuoka Prefecture, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, Mie Prefectures, and parts of Tokyo. In addition, the "Special Measures Act on Promotion of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures for Tonankai and Nankai Earthquakes" (Act No. 92 of 2002, last revised Act No. 93 of 2007) and the "Special Measures Act on Promotion of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures for Trench-Type Earthquakes around the Japan Trench and the Kuril Trench" (Act No. 27 of 2004, last revised Act No. 93 of 2007) have been enacted, with the premise that areas will be designated as strengthened areas under the Large-Scale Earthquake Countermeasures Special Measures Act if a prediction system is established.

[Jiromaru Masao]

"Earthquake Disaster Prevention Study Group (ed.) 'Miyagi Prefecture Offshore Earthquake and Major Earthquake Countermeasures: An Overview of the Large-Scale Earthquake Countermeasures Special Measures Act' (1979, Zenkoku Kajo Horei Publishing)" ▽ "Large-Scale Earthquake Prevention Study Group (ed.) 'Detailed Explanation of the Large-Scale Earthquake Countermeasures Special Measures Act' (1979, Gyosei) " ▽ "Fire and Disaster Management Agency (ed.) 'Collection of Notices on Laws and Regulations Related to the Large-Scale Earthquake Countermeasures Special Measures Act' (1980, Gyosei)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大規模な地震による災害から国民の生命、身体および財産を保護するため、各般の事項について特別の措置を定めることにより、地震防災対策の強化を図り、もって社会の秩序の維持と公共の福祉の確保に資することを目的とした法律。略称、大震法。全40条および附則よりなる。1978年（昭和53）6月制定。昭和53年法律第73号（最終改正、平成19年法律第93号）。1978年12月より施行。

　1976年（昭和51）秋に東海地震説が唱えられてから、政府は駿河(するが)湾地域を中心に地震観測体制の強化に努め、地元静岡県においても地震防災体制の強化に格段の努力を傾注しつつあった矢先に、1978年1月14日、伊豆大島近海地震が発生し、これを契機として地震防災に関する特別立法の作業が進められ制定された法律である。

　そのおもな内容としては、
(1)内閣総理大臣は、大規模な地震が発生するおそれがとくに大きいと認められる地殻内において大規模な地震が発生した場合に著しい被害が生ずるおそれがある地域を地震防災対策強化地域に指定する、
(2)指定された強化地域内での観測体制を強化するとともに、一定の者は地震防災に関する計画を作成し、訓練を実施するなど、地震の予知が行われた場合に備える、
(3)地震災害に関する警戒宣言が発せられた場合における地震災害警戒本部の設置および、あらかじめ策定された地震防災計画にしたがって地震防災応急対策が実施される、
(4)さらに交通の規制、応急公用負担等地震防災応急対策を円滑に実施するうえで必要な措置を講ずる、
等について規定されている。

　2010年（平成22）4月の時点で、この法律の適用は東海地震に限られており、静岡県全域のほか、神奈川、山梨、長野、岐阜、愛知、三重の各県および東京都の一部地域で、合計160市町村が強化地域に指定されている。また、予知体制が確立した場合、大規模地震対策特別措置法の強化地域に指定することを前提に「東南海・南海地震に係る地震防災対策の推進に関する特別措置法」（平成14年法律第92号、最終改正平成19年法律第93号）、「日本海溝・千島海溝周辺海溝型地震に係る地震防災対策の推進に関する特別措置法」（平成16年法律第27号、最終改正平成19年法律第93号）が制定されている。

［次郎丸誠男］

『震災対策研究会編『宮城県沖地震と大地震対策　大規模地震対策特別措置法の概説』（1979・全国加除法令出版）』▽『大規模地震対策研究会編『詳解大規模地震対策特別措置法』（1979・ぎょうせい）』▽『消防庁編『大規模地震対策特別措置法関係法令通達集』（1980・ぎょうせい）』

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