The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Atsushi Sunami) published a new book in Japanese titled Recreational Use and Management of the Sea: Practices in Japan and China on 31 March 2024.

As people have became more affluent, their desire to enjoy the sea has increased. As a result, the marine leisure industry has been developing in Japan since the 1980s and in China from the 2000s. However, little attention has been paid to the implications and impacts of the growth and diversification of marine leisure. What are the forms of recreational use of the sea in China and Japan, how has it developed, what problems has it caused and how have solutions been attempted? This book addresses these questions by summarizing some of the findings of the 'Research and Study on Recreational Fishing in Japan and China' program, which was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the two countries. In search of sustainable growth for fisheries and fishing communities, China has been promoting recreational fishing since the early 2000s, while in Japan the promotion of 'Umigyo' has been set as one of the pillars of the Basic Fisheries Policy from 2022. This book analyzes practical initiatives in Japan and China to diversify recreational use of the sea against this policy background. We recommend that anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the oceans and fisheries obtain a copy at their local bookshop or online.