Ocean Newsletter
No.174 November 5, 2007
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Regenerating Okinotori-shima Island
Hajime KayaneAssociate Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo
In order to regenerate Okinotori-shima Island in the face of submergence by rising sea levels, production of coral and foraminifera must be enhanced and the eco-engineering technologies for conveying and accumulating the bioclastic materials must be developed. The regeneration plan created here can also be applied to the other island countries and atolls in the Pacific.
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Hope for a New Perspective on the Building of Ocean Research Vessels
Shoichi SuzukiResearch Vessel Captain, Research Vessel Management and Operations Department, Marine Technology Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
In the building of ocean research vessels, little regard has heretofore been given to the importance of preventing pollution by the research vessel itself. In order to observe marine, atmospheric, and planet-level pollution, we must proceed with the prevention and removal of pollution by our own research vessels. It is only with the most precise observations of the atmosphere and ocean waters that we can make progress in research on global conditions and global warming. To accomplish this, we must build multi-purpose research vessels from this new perspective of preventing and reducing pollution.
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Industry, Academia, and Government Cooperation on Naval Military Technology
Masami KawamuraRear Admiral (retired), Adviser OCC
During the Cold War, both East and West competed fiercely in the development of quieter submarines and submarine surveillance systems. The cooperative initiatives among American industry, academia, and government produced results, which after the end of the Cold War benefited all three sectors. In Japan, this kind of industry-academia-government (defense) cooperation on security technology issues began with 9.11. It is hoped that this trend will increase with the enactment of the Basic Ocean Law and Basic Education Law and the privatization of the national universities.