The Basic Plan on Ocean Policy represents Japan’s basic approach to ocean policy. More than 1380 comments from the general public were received regarding the first three Basic Plans. Comments that resulted in the government revising or adding to the Plan were highest for the third Basic Plan, at 15%. However, in the government’s responses towards comments that weren’t reflected in the Plans, it should be noted that it relied heavily on the report from the Advisory Council for the National Headquarters for Ocean Policy. In future, it is important to develop a more comprehensive planning process that includes examination of the appropriateness of government’s responses to public comments.

Page Top