The use of satellites for global maritime observation and monitoring has become a powerful means to address global issues. It should be noted that Coast Guards and space organizations in Europe and North America have been discussing on Collaboration in Space for International Global Maritime Awareness (C-SIGMA) by making mutual use of non-military satellites that they are operating for their own purpose. For Japan as well, it is essential to strengthen multi-layered national security via robust cooperation in maritime security with Europe and North America by making interoperable use of observation satellites.

The U.S. has firm plans to carry out a major reduction in defense spending and a reorganization of its military forces. The scale of the reduction is still unclear, though as it undertakes the reorganization while at the same time increasing its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities and maintaining a focus on the Asian-Pacific region and the Middle East, it will likely call on Japan to assume a larger share of the security burden. Japan should not passively accept these conditions, but, as befitting a State that benefits from freedom of the seas, it should actively carry out its burden sharing responsibilities and work towards securing and increasing its national interests.

New Zealand is famous as wine producing country and the vineyards of Waiheke Island add fresh surprises along with its excellent wines. The vineyards near the coastline offer unique scenery as blue sea appears between the rolling rows of vines and the atmosphere is melt with the flavors of wines.