OTEC or Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, makes use of the temperature differential between surface sea water and that of the deep sea to generate electricity. As OTEC is characterized by its consistency in power generation and ease of production predictability, it is thought to have potential as a renewable energy source. Research on OTEC in Japan has heretofore been centered on Saga University, but with a view to large scale commercialization in Okinawa in the future, OTEC field demonstrations were begun there in April of 2013 in actual ocean areas, a world first. This article gives an overview of the project.

The Anti-Piracy Law passed in June of 2009 is an extraordinary law for Japan, in that it allows for the policing, arrest, trial by jury, and punishment of foreign pirates. As piracy off the Somalia coast is now a global problem, Japan's demonstration of its ability as an advanced maritime state to carry out legal investigations of brutal acts of piracy and bring the perpetrators to trial is thought to have been well received by the international community.

The Wajiro Tidal Flat along the Sea of Japan in Hakata Bay are 80 hectares in area, with the Wajiro sea area totaling 300 hectares. The wetland serve as an important stopover for the migrating birds of East Asia, and as tidal flat on a natural coast they have been chosen as one of the Top One Hundred Natural Inhabited Places in Japan. It has now been 25 years since we began conservation activities in the tidal flat. Nature observation outings, clean-up campaigns, surveys, and the Wajiro Tidal Flat Festival are some of the many and varied activities we have carried out. By focusing our activities on the attraction of the sea floor springs and the mountains-rivers-ocean linkage, we hope to have the Wajiro Tidal Flat registered with the Ramsar Convention protecting wetlands, especially waterfowl habitat.