The ocean gave birth to life and nurtured it. In recent years, other planets have been discovered which are thought to have oceans, giving rise to expectations that new forms of life might exist. At the same time, on earth, it is now realized that the importance of the ocean becomes clearer when it is considered as a set, together with the land. The significance of the ocean becomes clearer to us when we look at it not in isolation, but as a continuum with the continents and the universe itself.

Ehime prefecture is a maritime transport and shipbuilding cluster without parallel around the world. At present, the maritime industry is faced with many challenges, for which countermeasures as a matter of national policy are being called for. The Japanese tax system is a serious handicap for ship owners in competition with those in foreign countries, but if special economic zones conferring a certain amount of preferential treatment were established it is believed the economic impact would be incalculable.

The ocean, which once played a part in people's daily lives, has become shut off from many as society has become more prosperous. The decline in the fishing industry has been one reason for the distancing between man and the ocean. As we enter a new era when local residents are being called on to actively involve themselves in tidal flats conservation, discussion and consensus building about our relationship with the ocean need to take place as we move forward, not only among fishermen but among a variety of stakeholders as well.