Submarine groundwater discharges have drawn attention as hidden water linking the land to the ocean, as an important part of the material load to the ocean, and as a factor influencing coastal ecosystems. Their existence has been known since Roman times, but quantitative evaluation of submarine groundwater has now begun as an international interdisciplinary collaborative research project. I will introduce the unknown connections linking the land and the ocean.
Selected Papers No.13

Precious coral is one of the few natural resources for which Japan is a major producing country. Currently it is being discussed at the conference of the parties to CITES, whether precious coral should be included in CITES (international trade regulations) in terms of the protection and conservation of precious coral as a marine resource. I am putting my hopes into efforts that can be proposed to the international community, because it is Japan that has nurtured a culture of living in coexistence with the sea and precious coral.
Selected Papers No.13

No Convention's coming into effect has been more eagerly awaited than the Maritime Labour Convention, as it means the improvement of seafarers' working condition, the enhancement of safety at sea, better protection of the marine environment, and, for the maritime transport industry, the promotion of fair and sound competition with the adherence to international standards of employment conditions.