The government, hoping to lead the world in relief efforts to tsunami-wrecked nations, is fine-tuning its overseas development assistance (ODA) to help developing countries prepare for disasters.

Officials said this includes mid- to long-term disaster management programs for building infrastructure, improving legal systems and training experts.

The programs, along with ODA funds for emergency disaster relief, will constitute the core of Japan's cooperation in international efforts to build anti-disaster systems across the borders, officials said.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will formally announce the plan at the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction being held next week in Kobe to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which struck Jan. 17, 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

The conference gets under way Tuesday and ends Saturday.

Officials said Japan wants to offer up its experiences in dealing with earthquakes, tsunami and typhoons to help nations prepare for natural disasters and to show how people can rebuild their lives.

The government drew up a basic ODA policy for disaster-management cooperation following the Dec. 26 quake-induced tsunami off Sumatra, Indonesia, that ravaged nations with coastlines in the Indian Ocean, leaving more than 160,000 people dead.

The policy will first be applied to countries mauled by the 9.0 Richter scale magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, given the world's priority on immediate full-scale reconstruction assistance and efforts to set up early warning systems in the region.

While noting the importance of efforts by developing countries themselves, the policy calls for continued international assistance. This ranges from emergency aid to reconstruction to disaster-preparedness programs.

Specifically, the mid- to long-term programs are centered on:

*building disaster management systems;

*training experts;

*building quake-proof embankments, roads and other infrastructure; and

*helping disaster victims rebuild their livelihoods.

In an effort to minimize future damage, special emphasis will be placed on improving preparedness. This will entail formulating basic anti-disaster legislation and training public-sector officials in developing countries, officials said.

It is the first time that Japan has set a basic ODA policy for disaster management cooperation.(IHT/Asahi: January 12,2005)