The continental shelf, over which the coastal State exercises the sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting its natural resources, may extend beyond the 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baselines of the State, depending on the location of the outer edge of the continental margin. Countries working towards the extension are making their best endeavor reflecting the significance of the extension of the area under their jurisdiction. This report overviews the current status of the countries which have already made submission of the extension of their continental shelves.
Selected Papers No.10(p.13)

Although Japan has the world's sixth largest fishing grounds, its fishing industry is in marked decline. The reasons for this are pollution and reclamation of fishing grounds, an increase in imports, and indiscriminate, irrational, and illegal fishing. In general, fish stocks fluctuate depending on catches, the marine environment, and natural breeding responses to these factors. If counter-measures are taken to combat irrational and illegal fishing, it is expected that fishing costs will drop, management conditions will improve, and indiscriminate catches can be stopped.

It is well known that varieties of biological organisms are spreading to and breeding in oceans far from their original ecosystems. There are also cases reported of harm to humans as a result. In order to address this problem, the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted at the International Maritime Organization in 2004. Since the Convention came into effect, new restrictions on the release of ballast water have been implemented. This article discusses the problems associated with the transfer of ballast water as well as the Convention adopted to deal with them.