Accident and Incident Investigation

Cooperation with investigations into accidents and incidents with significant public and social impact
2024.09.12 Update

1.Overview

NIMS understakes cooperative projects for investigations into accidents and incidents that have a significant social impact.

Scope of accident and incident investigations

The scope of accident and incident investigations undertaken by NIMS includes the following:

  • Investigations aimed at elucidating the causes of accidents and incidents for the purpose of preventing recurrence, as follows:
  • Investigations requested by national or local governments, independent administrative agencies, etc.
  • Investigations requested by operators involved in public transportation, energy, or other social infrastructure provision and maintenance, where the social impact of recurrence would be significant.
  • Investigations conducted for the purpose of scientific verification as part of incident/accident investigations or litigation, as requested by police or judicial authorities.
  • Other investigations deemed appropriate in light of the organization's objectives and roles.


2.Procedure for accident and incident investigations

1.Request for accident or incident investigation by the requesting organization
2.Consideration of investigation feasibility (including whether it would affect NIMS's neutrality)
3.Formal request for accident or incident investigation by the requesting organization (if the investigation is deemed feasible)
4.On-site accident or incident investigation
5.Submission of accident or incident investigation report


3.Point of note on accident and incident investigations

The implementation of an accident or incident investigation by NIMS is, in principle, chargeable. However, fees may be reduced or waived in cases where the investigation is recognized to be of outstanding public interest.


4.Examples of accident and incident investigations


Contact information for accident and incident investigations

Administrative Office, Materials Fabrication and Analysis Platform
Research Network and Facility Services Division (RNFS), NIMS
1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0047, Japan
E-Mail: chukaku=nims.go.jp(Please change "=" to "@")