Future Ocean Policies

Following the enforcement of the Basic Ocean Law in July, 2007, a national committee on general maritime policies headed by the Prime Minister was established with a view to intensively and comprehensively promoting maritime policies. Japan, an island country open to the sea in every direction, has come a long way, blessed with a wealth of ocean resources and convenience by water since ancient times. In recent years, the sea has been increasingly playing a key role in securing food, resources, and energy that are indispensable to our life, and maintaining smooth transportation of goods, as well as preserving good environmental conditions on a global scale. A wide range of ocean-related problems, however, have been lately emerging, such as environmental pollution at sea, reducing marine resources, advancing shore erosion, the occurrence of grave marine accidents, frequent pirate attacks, and the happening of the cases that may affect the securing of maritime interests. To ensure Japan's further development, it is crucial for the government in unison to promote various ocean plans aimed at developing the sea, enhancing the use of the oceans, securing the safety at sea, facilitating ocean research, encouraging marine industries, protecting and fostering remote islands, and so forth. These policies are expected to be mapped out as the Basic Ocean Plan by the spring of 2008 and adopted in a Cabinet meeting, which will lay the foundation of rebuilding Japan as a nation of the sea.