The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a huge impact on society and the economy, to which oceanic sectors are no exception. Blue recovery is a vision that sees economic recovery and protection of the marine environment not as conflicting goals; rather, it aims to promote sustainable business activities that will help maintain the ocean’s health and transform our economy into a sustainable one, an economy robust enough to overcome threats to biodiversity as well as climate change risks. Here I would like to reaffirm the importance of international cooperation and consider how Japan can demonstrate initiative in science and technology innovation for a blue recovery.
Selected Papers No.26(p.14)

I would here like to introduce the operating systems for autonomous ships being actively researched and developed on a global scale in recent years. Next, along with introducing the status of autonomous ship technology development within Japan, I would like to discuss responses in the legal system towards its popularization as well as issues in the creation of business models.

The problem of marine plastics pollution is now receiving worldwide attention. However, this problem was recognized in surveys 20 years ago, following the widespread use of plastic products from the 1960s. I would like here to think about what is needed to solve the marine plastic pollution problem.