Since the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea took effect in 1994, countries around the world have acted on their obligation to address problems concerning the ocean. World attention has also focused on the effective implementation of the Agenda 21 action plan. Against this background, we must admit that Japan's efforts appear at best lackluster. What is urgently needed, is a ministerial level board for the establishment of an ocean policy as well as a coordinating Ocean Policy Office to put their deliberations into practice.