The Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, enacted in 2008 and revised in 2013 and 2018, is the basis for timely promotion of ocean policy and is scheduled to undergo its third revision this year. The “Survey on Recent Japanese Ocean Policy: with formulation of the 4th Basic Plan on Ocean Policy in mind” was carried out with the aim of improving this year’s revision. Touching on the issues that have come to light from the survey, I would like to offer comments on the new Plan.

In the spring of 2026, Japan will host the world's most important meeting on Antarctic governance, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). Due to the significant changes in the geopolitical situation and disturbances to the rule of law in the international community, this meeting will be an important opportunity for Japan, as the host country, to demonstrate leadership in Antarctic governance. There are many challenges related to ocean governance under the Treaty, and it is hoped that Japan will demonstrate leadership in addressing Antarctic bioprospecting and tourism activities, as well as the entry into force of the Liability Annex.

While there are concerns that ocean acidification, known as the evil twin of global warming, has a great effect on global ecosystems, future predictions are not easy. The use of natural analogues of ocean acidification around volcanic CO2 vents, are proving the effects of ocean acidification on the complicated mechanisms of ecosystems. Research carried out so far at Shikine-jima in the Izu Archipelagos has shown clearly that changes occur not only in the biological aspects of ecosystems, but in the ecosystem functions such as material cycles as well.