Five years have passed since the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy was drafted. During this time, there have been great changes in social conditions concerning our ocean areas. These include a movement to review our energy strategy prompted by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, increased expectations for the development and use of ocean resources beginning with methane hydrates and rare earth seabed mud, and changes in the international situation that affect ocean security and ocean rights and interests. While the Revised Basic Plan on Ocean Policy will serve as a guideline in making Japan a maritime state, unified efforts by all concerned are also important.
Selected Papers No.18

The history of modern Japan is one of turning its back on and forgetting the ocean. It's time though, in order to adapt and evolve with the new era, to shed this kind of modernism, take inventory of our diverse cultural stock which includes ocean traditions from the ancient and medieval periods, and rebuild our identity in the context of the earth as a "water planet E

While the usual approach to protect oneself in the event of tsunami is to evacuate to high ground or a tower, an easier way is to board a lifeboat and "float to survive. EThis is the concept behind the tsunami lifeboat. Many precious lives were lost due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The anti-tsunami measure introduced here was born out of the hope for some way to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. It is my sincere desire that the tsunami lifeboat will be rapidly adopted, so that every possible life might be saved in the event of an earthquake mega-disaster in the Nankai Trough, considered highly likely to occur in the near future.
Selected Papers No.18