Kiribati is a small island state comprising of 33 islands in the expansive South Pacific Ocean. Kiribati is sometimes described as a paradise of the South Pacific Ocean, although in reality it faces various problems such as those of resources, energy, population concentration, food and finance. I will report on the present state of these problems, which can be said to be characteristics of small island states and are difficult to solve, and on the government's response in striving to achieve a breakthrough.

A notification was recently received from those concerned with UNESCO that the undersea ruins near Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture are worthy as an underwater cultural heritage property. Though they are thought to be one of the world's oldest civilizations using megalithic structures that were produced 10,000 years or more ago on land, measures to protect the ruins have not been taken.

The kings of wines are no longer produced only in Burgundy. California Pinot Noirs are highly rated as some of the top wines of the world. This was made possible by the proper selection of the vineyard to apply the benefits of maritime micro climate to viticulture.