Though the crisis of biodiversity and the necessity of conserving biodiversity are argued, the actual conditions of diverse marine organisms have not been fully understood and basic information to take effective conserving actions is not sufficient. NaGISA is a research program to compare biodiversity along seacoasts in various regions of the world through sampling according to unified protocols and the capacity building of taxonomy, and to establish a system to monitor changes in biodiversity.
Selected Papers No.8(p.4)

According to an inquiry conducted last year into the actual conditions of inappropriate navigation in Tokyo Bay, 525 ships were reported. No major accident has occurred in Tokyo Bay since 1997 when the Panamanian-registered tanker Diamond Grace hit a shallow seabed and spilled crude oil. However, the results of this inquiry clearly demonstrate the reality where fortunately no accident has occurred. Now is the time for all people involved to seriously face the problem areas and how best to plan for navigational safety measures.

I traveled along the 14,000 kilometer Silk Road by bus from Xian in China to Istanbul in Turkey, crossing the Central Asian countries. The Silk Road, which used to be used for the distribution of silk, is now being transformed into the new road for the distribution of energy resources such as natural gas. Perhaps within a few decades, the Silk Road will come to be called the "energy road."