Among disaster victims, relief assistance for dialysis patients, people with incurable diseases, home-bound patients, and those requiring nursing care, etc., is often delayed. In such cases, what can sneak up on these people is disaster-related death. Disaster related fatalities from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami have already exceeded one hundred. In order not to expose the most vulnerable to risk of disaster related death through stressful evacuation areas, substandard medical environments, and poor welfare conditions, we must make full use of the ocean, ships, and ports to make medical support a reality.
In the wake of the nuclear power plant accident, there have been firm calls for development of efficient production technologies for natural and renewable energy sources. I believe that bio-ethanol made from seaweed, as a renewable energy resource, can contribute to sustaining the global environment. In future, we must find and cultivate seaweed types most suitable for ethanol fermentation, determine the most effective fermentation microorganisms, and investigate necessary conditions for cultivation and purification processes.
In collaboration with an international NPO, Earthwatch Institute Japan specializing in supporting scientific research in the field, Nippon Yusen established the NYK Nature Fellowship, providing university students from Japan as well as NYK Group employees a chance to participate ocean environment research sites across the globe. Through participation in those research survey activities with scientists and volunteers from various part of the world, fellowship recipients can become more knowledgeable about and sensitive to environmental issues.
