Epidemics and the Ocean, the 4th volume in the “Science of Ocean and Human Relations” series, was published on March 4, 2021, just as the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic struck. For the safety of marine products and the conservation of a healthy marine environment in the future, the rise of ocean pathologies is linked with increasing economic activity. When considering the post-Corona era, there should be much that we can learn from the history of mankind’s battles with epidemics as played out on the ocean.

In a 2006 study in Japan, it was discovered that out of the whole country, Yamagata Prefecture, along with Aomori Prefecture, had the highest amount of marine plastic waste drift onto its shores. Thanks to the 20-year cooperation among a variety of bodies across different regions, a section of the coast improved enough that it was possible to walk on it barefoot, albeit temporarily. I would like to reflect on the background of those clean-up activities, as well as think about future actions for the adult generation obligated to carry them out.

A role-playing board game has been produced under the framework of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability (ArCS) project. In the learning tool on the Arctic science, The Arctic, players assume the role of an oceanographer, indigenous personnel, fisher, cultural anthropologist, industry personnel, or diplomat, and aim to maintain a certain level of environment, culture, and economy in the context of rapidly decreasing sea ice in the Arctic region. Aside from holding many trial sessions both domestically and abroad up until now, we are also loaning the game to research, educational, and government organizations.
Selected Papers No.27(p.8)