In the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, made after the passing of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy, the commercially viable development of seafloor massive sulfide in ten years is given priority as a policy, and urgent efforts to create a roadmap to achieve that are taking place. What are the risks and benefits of seafloor massive sulfide development? A group to study this has been formed within the Tokyo University Ocean Alliance.

The "Promotion Group for Capacity Development of the Next Generation in Maritime Industry," composed of representatives from MLIT and various maritime industry and education related groups, launched the new portal site "Umi no Shigoto.com", or "Ocean Jobs", this April. The site is serving as a new tool for maritime education, providing information about maritime industry jobs in transport, shipbuilding, etc., to educators and youth. This article explains how the site came about, its contents, and the expectations of its creators.

The Kobe Setouchi Cruise Project, a test cruise around the Japan Inland Sea, was carried out by economic groups, national and local government agencies, and others from western Japan in 2008. Its purpose was to introduce the pleasures of the Kobe-Setouchi Inland Sea Cruise to Japanese and Asian tourists who have not still experienced cruises and to create a new cruise market to attract greater numbers in the near future.