It has been 10 years since the establishment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. The Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, which works in accordance with this law, is in the process of its 3rd revision, following the 1st and 2nd revisions. While there have been efforts to implement both top-down and bottom-up policies focusing on governance, building up the system has not necessarily led to the results that were expected, and many issues still remain. The second revision presented a good specific plan, but in implementation faced many issues that remained unsolved. The third revision must ensure a plan that will be accurately implemented by each of the relevant ministries and agencies.
Selected Papers No.22(p.23)

Across the world, there have been increased efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through science and technology innovation. With science and technology innovation known as Japan's strengths, expectations for such innovation are high within the international community. Now Japan, as an "ocean state," needs to work together with the world through science and technology diplomacy in order to create a sustainable system that can link the earth to the future. At the same time, there is also an urgent need to create an ecosystem that reflects the science and technology innovation of our nation, especially as a nation surrounded by the ocean.
Selected Papers No.22(p.26)

The concept of MDA began in the U.S. following the 2001 terrorist attacks, in order to effectively share maritime information among relevant government agencies on national level problems. Since then, MDA has deepened as an information-sharing mechanism and framework to address various man-made or natural threats related to the oceans. With the manifestation of threats to Japan's ocean policy and national security in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, the creation of MDA is a matter of the utmost urgency.

Where does Japan's true center of gravity lie? While calculations up to now have only taken into consideration on-land areas, if Japan is to call itself an ocean nation it also cannot forget the seafloor / continental shelf lying under its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Here, I will consider issues that have been made apparent from new calculations on the nation's center of gravity that include its territory on the ocean floor.