Outline Of The Fourth Master Plan On Ocean Policy

I. Introduction

On April 28, 2023, the Fourth Master Plan on Ocean Policy (the "Plan") was adopted by a Cabinet Decision¹. Since the formation of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy² in 2007, Japan's ocean policies have been promoted comprehensively and systematically based on the Basic Act on Ocean Policy and the Master Plan on Ocean Policy. The Master Plan on Ocean Policy is reviewed roughly every five years and necessary changes are made, and this Plan is the fourth one.

The Plan lays down the two main pillars of "Comprehensive Maritime Security" and "Building a Sustainable Ocean" as its basic policy, and presents the promotion of industrial use of the ocean as an important measure to be steadily promoted. Since the Plan is expected to have a huge impact on the maritime and energy industries in Japan, we will briefly introduce its contents in this newsletter.