INTRODUCTION

The Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) aspires to become a "think-and-do-tank," to address the many challenges to the ocean and thereby achieve the mission of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to establish a new system of ocean governance. To do so, we will expand our research and advocacy activities, disseminate relevant information, facilitate necessary measures, and promote networking opportunities. Japan cannot solve all the ocean’s problems on its own, however, which must be tackled from a global perspective through initiatives that are based on international discussion. We therefore sincerely wish to collaborate ever more closely with like-minded stakeholders who are also concerned about the oceans.

Initiatives on ocean policy

With the aim of promoting "Co-existence between Man and the Ocean," we began our think-tank operations in 2000 by conducting research, making policy recommendations and disseminating information on the ocean, and also contributed to the enactment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy in 2007. Since then, OPRI has actively participated in many international conferences and dialogues on ocean governance, and has continued to carry out activities for the implementation of the 12 fundamental measures outlined in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy.
 
OPRI continues to build on the activities of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, making full use of its expertise and networks to conduct research, communication, and information sharing activities on the ocean both domestically and abroad.

Major activities

(1) International activities regarding the ocean

Ocean officials from international organizations, states, research institutes, and NGOs discuss ocean issues at the Global Ocean Forum (GOF), where OPRI was the only participating organization from Japan at its establishment. OPRI has been an active participant in its activities ever since, and has made contributions towards initiatives in the integrated management and sustainable development of the ocean.
 
OPRI is the only Japanese NGO that holds a special consultative status for the UN Economic and Social Council on the ocean. In addition to contributing to the formulation of action plans on oceans and international ocean governance, OPRI has also worked to communicate those results throughout Japan.

(2) Dissemination of information relating to the oceans

Begun by OPRF before its reorganization into OPRI, this outreach provides cross-sectoral, comprehensive information from the viewpoint of both natural and social sciences to increase interest in ocean related issues and help the Foundation in facilitating the formulation of ocean policy.

(3) Promotion of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy

OPRI has worked to establish a culture of integrated management and sustainable development of the oceans by Japan, an ocean state.
In 2002, the Institute set up the Committee on Marine and Coastal Research, which studied the ocean policies of other countries, exchanged opinions with both domestic and overseas organizations involved with the oceans, and organized research seminars with researchers, government administrations, and the media in order to stimulate deeper discussion of the ocean policies that Japan should pursue. In November 2005, the outcome of these discussions was compiled and submitted to the government and political parties as the Recommendations for Ocean Policy in the 21st Century. These recommendations were released to the public in order to convince them of the importance of enacting the Basic Act on Ocean Policy, and of proper management of our national territory, which extends into the sea.
 


In response, a multi-partisan team of Diet members and ocean experts from various fields formed the Study Group on the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. Acting as the secretariat of the study group, OPRI facilitated compilation of the Ocean Policy Outline, together with the Overview of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. As a result, the Basic Act on Ocean Policy was finally enacted in April 2007 as a bill sponsored by a multi-party group of Diet members.
The Institute continued its role as secretariat in the Study Group for Follow-up of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy and in the subsequent Study Group on Strategy for the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. The following recommendations were made by the Study Groups, as a result of their deliberations on the measures necessary to promote Japan's ocean policy at the time of the establishment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy (March, 2008), in the drafting of the measures and their implementation made possible by the Basic Act, and in the creation of the New Basic Plan for Ocean Policy (April, 2013).
 

Study group on Basic Act on Ocean Policy

Following cabinet approval of the New Basic Plan on Ocean Policy in April 2013, the Study Group on Strategy for the Basic Act on Ocean Policy engages in activities aimed at ensuring reliable implementation of the measures adopted.
Although new measures relating to the oceans are gradually gaining impetus in Japan, fresh thinking is needed to introduce deeper, more fundamental initiatives that will bring hitherto vertically segmented activities together so that we can peacefully and proactively develop and harness the oceans in the spirit of international cooperation while also striking a balance with protection of the marine environment.
This study group continues its work of facilitating reliable implementation of the New Basic Plan on Ocean Policy and initiatives toward building a new maritime nation. The group concentrates on advancing implementation of key measures specified in senior advisor meetings at the Headquarters for Ocean Policy. In addition, it lobbies for reliable implementation of these key measures and engages in steady promotion of the New Basic Plan.
The study group is an important driving force for Japanese ocean policy, since it brings together a cross-party group of Diet members, ocean experts from various fields, and stakeholders from relevant ministries and agencies and facilitates discussion aimed at achieving specific steps towards implementation of the Basic Plan, thereby enabling the country to carry out ocean policy in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

ページトップ