Countries around the world are undertaking initiatives towards the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science that begins in 2021. Ocean satellite observation is a powerful means for monitoring the world’s oceans, and in the sphere of international cooperation there are great expectations for the role Japan’s technological superiority in this field might play. In this article I will discuss the prospects and challenges regarding the role Japan’s ocean satellite observations should play within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science.

Migration is becoming a serious problem for low-lying coastal countries and island states affected by sea level rise accompanying climate change. In thinking about climate induced environmental relocation, conversations with islanders who underwent semi-compulsory relocation to Rabi Island during the war provides many insights. In the wake of environmental relocation, the rebuilding of lives requires appropriate support along with responding to the need for maintaining the migrants’ unique language, culture, and customs, a major project that may extend across several generations.

An amphibian aircraft is a type of seaplane which is capable of taking off and landing on the water. A hull on the bottom side of its fuselage enables to float and move on the surface of the water. This article introduces the Search and Rescue Amphibian named US-2 which is active in the sea near Japan, and further use of amphibian aircraft in contributing to rescue operations on the open ocean.