Promoting Ocean Policy Studies
A wide range of problems exists regarding the oceans, such as those involving the environment, climate, resources, fisheries, energy, maritime affairs, and security, and these problems are closely interrelated. In order to address them, our policies must aim for integrated management and sustainable development of the oceans in accordance with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international frameworks for sustainable development. Following enactment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy in 2007, aimed at implementation of relevant policy in a comprehensive and systematic manner, Japan is moving towards achievement of an integrated ocean policy.
Relevant academic and scientific findings regarding the oceans are indispensable to the pursuit of integrated ocean policy. Unfortunately, research is still bound by strict divisions between academic disciplines and therefore fails to contribute fully to the development of an ocean policy possessing academic and scientific substance. In order to achieve deeper levels of cross-sectional and integrated research in fields related to ocean policies, OPRF (now OPRI) established the Japan Society of Ocean Policy.
| October 2014 | Ocean policy research seminar entitled "Maritime Disputes and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea" co-hosted by Society and OPRF. |
| February 2014 | Ocean policy research seminar entitled "Study of Ocean and Coastal Policies in East Asia," co-hosted by Society and OPRF. |
| March 2013 | Japan Society of Ocean Policy accredited as a cooperative science and research body by the Science Council of Japan. |
| 2012-13 | Commissioned study, "Comprehensive Study of Japanese Management and Usage of International Straits," carried out by Society. (Featured in the 2014 special issue of Ocean Policy Research) |
| October 2011 | Launch of Journal of the Japan Society of Ocean Policy |
| January 2011 | Japanese name of the Japan Society of Ocean Policy is changed. |
| 2010-11 | Commissioned study, "Comprehensive Study of Acceptance of Ships in Distress into Ports of Refuge, Etc.," carried out by Society. (Featured in 2012 special issue of Ocean Policy Research) |
| November 2008 | Inaugural meeting of the Japan Society of Ocean Policy, organized with support from the Nippon Foundation. The Ocean Policy Research Foundation supports activities as secretariat |
| 2007 | Launch of program to promote ocean policy studies |