At the Rio + 20 conference held this June, the outcome document "the future we want Ewas adopted in recognition of the importance of the green economy in achieving sustainable development. The outcome document included recommendations from the Oceans Day Rio Ocean Declaration, and treated oceans and seas as an independent thematic area and cross-sectoral issue, resulting in the addition of twenty paragraphs into the plan of action.
Selected Papers No.17(p.6)

During the Great East Japan Earthquake many children lost their lives, from those in kindergarten to elementary school, middle, and high schools, both while they were under school supervision and after they had been handed over to their guardians. Also, the opening of school evacuation shelters came to overwhelm faculty and staff, who became responsible not only for the safety of the children in their care but for operation of the shelters and regular school duties once classes resumed. In order to incorporate lessons learned from this disaster as we prepare for the next major disaster that will occur in the near future, it is important to compile and continuously improve a disaster prevention management manual.

Kitakyushu is moving forward with experiments demonstrating how the strong tides that pass through the Kanmon Straits might be harnessed for power generation. After starting trials in March of 2012 through the actual operation of the generator facilities, issues concerning power generation and blade conditions have been identified to find a way toward solutions. We hope to make the energy that is generated visible through the powering of LEDs, etc., and raise public awareness about natural and renewable energy sources.