Opinions and Responses

Request Regarding the Use of Disaster Prevention Broadcasts as a Measure Against Special Fraud and the Establishment of Noise Control Ordinances

Around 1:30 p.m. on February 27, 2024, there was a fraudulent phone call with an automated voice saying, "This is an important notice. Your mail cannot be delivered, so please press number 1," and an incident occurred where an older adult was nearly deceived. Fraud schemes have become more cunning year by year.
I previously requested that Inagi City Hall utilize the disaster prevention administrative radio to broadcast real-time warnings when fraudulent phone calls are rampant. However, I received a reluctant response citing complaints that "babies cannot nap." Nevertheless,
・Audio broadcasts from mobile vendors such as pole-and-bamboo sellers patrolling during the daytime
・Children shouting outdoors after evening
・Noise from young people laughing late at night near our home
Such matters appear to be effectively tolerated.
The current situation, where private promotional broadcasts and personal noise are prioritized over emergency broadcasts for crime prevention purposes, should be reconsidered from the perspective of ensuring citizens' safety.
Therefore, we request the following.
[Requests]
○ Implementation of real-time alerts via disaster prevention administrative radio during frequent special fraud incidents
○ Introduction of a notification system for private loudspeaker advertising activities
・Time restrictions
・Clarification of volume standards
・Guidance and penalty provisions for violations
○ Development or strengthening of noise nuisance prevention ordinances
・Introduction of penalties for private noise during late-night hours
・Volume regulation for mobile sales vehicles
・Acceleration of complaint response
○System design to treat crime prevention and fraud prevention broadcasts as "Emergency Public Safety Information" with special provisions, allowing priority broadcasting under certain conditions

Response

[Request Regarding the Use of Disaster Prevention Broadcasts for Special Fraud Countermeasures]
The city has installed disaster prevention broadcast equipment to quickly convey emergency information during disasters. In addition to highly urgent information such as evacuation notices, regular broadcasts are conducted to check the operational status of the equipment.
We are also working on crime prevention measures utilizing disaster prevention broadcasts, and currently, we are making requests for cooperation in watching over children during their return from school through disaster prevention broadcasts. However, there have been multiple opinions such as "Please stop because it disturbs infants' naps" regarding this broadcast, and opinions are divided on the use of disaster prevention broadcasts for crime prevention measures. We recognize that further utilization of disaster prevention broadcasts is a matter that the city should carefully consider.
On the other hand, we recognize that raising awareness about special fraud countermeasures is an important issue, and we strive to conduct wider and more effective awareness activities through methods other than disaster prevention broadcasts. Specifically, we disseminate information on special fraud countermeasures using various means such as posting information on the city website, email distribution, and distribution of the city public relations paper.

[Request Regarding the Establishment of Noise Control Ordinances]
Regarding promotional activities using loudspeakers, based on the "Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Protection Ordinance," the use of loudspeakers for commercial advertising purposes is prohibited from 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM the following day, and the volume is regulated to 55dB or 60dB depending on the area. Violators are subject to administrative guidance and orders, and penalties are applied if orders are violated. Additionally, the same standards apply to volume regulations for mobile sales vehicles.
Noise such as disturbances on the streets late at night is also subject to regulation under the same ordinance. Depending on the situation, the police may provide guidance based on the Minor Offenses Act and other laws.
As such, since there are already regulations under the same Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance, there are no plans to establish new ordinances at the city level.
We will continue to promptly investigate complaints related to noise and take appropriate measures as necessary.

Back to the top of opinions and responses