Huge rare-earth deposits have been discovered on deep-sea floor in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery is expected to serve as a major check on China, who has been able to use its heretofore monopoly on rare-earth resources as a trump card in international diplomacy.
Selected Papers No.16(p.14)

The bounty of the ocean that is indispensable to our daily lives is made possible by marine biodiversity. With conservation and sustainable use as its goals, the Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of Japan indicates the concept of MPAs and provides direction for future measures. Through the review by a panel of experts, it was formulated by the Ministry of the Environment in March of 2011. We hope to base our future cooperation with the relevant ministries on this strategy.
Selected Papers No.16(p.16)

The Japanese version of GPS, based on a quasi-zenith satellite system, is on the move. A cabinet decision was taken on September 30, 2011 to develop the quasi-zenith satellite system, by putting four satellites into quasi-zenith orbit by the second half of this decade and then three satellites into geostationary earth orbit(GEO) in future, which would enable sustainable positioning.