The changes in the seafloor environment such as earthquakes, tsunamis, tectonics, and marine pollution exert an important influence on our lives in various aspects.Real-time seafloor environmental monitoring is imperative and its realization is best managed with sub-marine cables.This system has made great progress in Japan, however, recently it has progressed extensively in the US and Europe and Japan is lagging behind.The Asian tsunami gave recognition to its immediacy and significance.

For many years, the ships' superiority of quality and reliability are the reasons behind the ability of Japan's shipbuilding industry to compete in overseas markets.However, the succession of skilled workers who are the real backbone is important to the shipbuilding industry as a whole right now.The year before last April, "Development Center for Shipbuilding Technical Skills" was established within The Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders to consolidate a system for skill succession.

Japan relies on the ocean for many aspects of life. This is reflected by the fact that, while the number of ships that sail under the Japanese flag is not particularly high, Japanese companies own 13.6% of all of the commercial ships in the world. This number is second only to Greece. For this reason, the discussions and the decisions made at the International Maritime Organization have a deeply significant impact on our country's security. Thus, it is vital for Japan to not only make its presence felt at the IMO, but to take an active part in its leadership.