The Follow-Up Working Group on Basic Act on Ocean Policy 12th meeting
The Follow-Up Working Group on Basic Act on Ocean Policy consisting of those members of the Diet and well-learned experts, who were involved in the enactment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy of 2007, held its 12th meeting between 8:00am-10:00am on May 27, 2011 at Hotel New Otani, Tokyo.
The Group considered the following items on the agenda:
(1) Presentations on reconstruction of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
(2) Proposed Action Plans with Regard to the Great East Japan Earthquake and
Tsunami Disaster Reconstruction from the Perspective of the Oceanic State
The Group is managed and administered by the following members (titles omitted):
Managing Representative-Tatsuo Kawabata
Chairperson- Seiji Maehara
Co-Chairperson-Yoshinori Oguchi;Itsunori Onodera;Goshi Hosono
At the present meeting consideration was given to various matters pertaining to the reconstruction of northeastern Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011. At the outset the following six experts made their presentations in their respective fields of expertise with regard to measures and projects to be put into effect in materializing the reconstruction.
Professor Shin Kisugi Vice President, The Open University of Japan
Professor Toshio Yamagata Department of Earth and Planetary Science,
Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
Professor Yutaka Michida Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute,
The University of Tokyo
Professor Toshio Takeuchi Vice President,
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Professor Takeshi Kinoshita Institute of Industrial Science,
The University of Tokyo
Mr. Hiroyuki Nakahara Managing Director,
Research Institute of Ocean Economics
Following the presentations the Group discussed the matters and had a question-and- answer session, which resulted in the adoption of “Proposed Action Plans with Regard to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Reconstruction from the Perspective of the Oceanic State -Urgent Proposal-.”
The adopted “Proposed Action Plans” was immediately submitted to Mr. Yukio Edano, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet by Mr. Tatsuo Kawabata-Managing Representative, Mr. Hidenao Nakagawa-Co-Representative and other members of the Working Group.
Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Mr.Masahiro Akiyama, Chairman of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation（OPRF） and Mr.Hiroshi Terashima,Executive Director（OPRF）were present.
The outline of “Proposed Action Plans” is as follows:
1．Comprehensive Reconstruction of Coastal Zones Warranted for Land Areas and Coastal Sea Areas
The livelihood of the inhabitants and industries in the disaster-stricken areas depend deeply on the sea. It is necessary, therefore, to devise “Comprehensive Reconstruction Project for the Coastal Zones” by treating the land and coastal sea areas as one contiguous body. Each prefecture and municipality that suffered are to draw up “・・・Coastal Zone Integrated Reconstruction Plan” To incorporate coastal ground waters into the municipal zone and making the incorporated sea areas the basis for the local grant tax appraisal. To administer the forests, rivers and seas unitarily and purposefully.
2. Establish System for Early Detection・Prediction・Warning of subduction-zone Earthquake and Tsunami
To establish a more consistent and wide-ranged observation networks with
wide-band accelerometers and offshore tsunami detectors with a view to providing a system capable of issuing early warnings of tsunami.
3. Establishing a Sustainable Marine Survey, Observation and Monitoring System after the recent disaster
Following the massive earthquake and tsunami the Sanriku coast experienced disturbance and turbulence which has given rise to great impact on the ecosystem.
There is serious anxiety that the flow of such harmful contaminants as radioactive substances into the sea resulting form the accidents of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station may disperse into vaster areas of the sea and this may result in further affecting the marine ecosystem negatively. As for the coastal marine ecosystem that underpins the fisheries, it is imperative to comprehend the actual conditions of turbulence and prompt undertaking of the investigation and study to elucidate the restoration process with participation of all the organizations concerned. In outer water areas of the Pacific Ocean an integrated and long range marine survey and observation as well as marine scientific research and study need to be undertaken by universities and research institutions. As for the flow of radioactive substances into the sea a system to observe and monitor the sea water and fishery products systematically in broad areas need to be established. It is also imperative to promote development of execution model and to study and assess movement through the food linkage, concentration. In order to execute the above securing of a fleet of marine survey boats, launching of sea level altimeter satellite and introduction of AUV and ROV are promoted.
4.Reconstruction of Fisheries in the Disaster Area
It is imperative to reconstruct the devastated fishing ports and villages and aquaculture facilities, remove and dispose the debris. Owing to the aging of fishermen, efforts to reconstruct the fishing industry must be centered on fishermen’s cooperative or introduction of enterprise-like management.
5.Promotion of Development and Use of renewable Energy in the Sea
In view of the fact that the devastated areas have a high potential to develop and use the oceanic renewable energy and having in mind promotion of introduction of oceanic wind power generation, draw up “Promotion Plan for Oceanic Renewable Energy Use” Install a coastal sea area for the comprehensive actual prrof and experimentation where there is a high potential of wind and wave energy.
To promote early realization of “Fishing Cooperation-type Wind Power Generation.
To promote development of natural gas and methane hydrate. To promoter introduction of oceanic wind power generation, which has a greater effect for vitalization of environment and local economy as a whole on islands and peninsulas.
6.Removal and Utilization of Debris for Reconstruction
To conduct an in-depth survey on the debris on the surface, subsurface, and seabed at the fishing ports, coasts and in the distant offing and promote the removal of such debris through the Administrators. As a part of disposal of debris such debris should be utilized to reclaim barrier islands or prepare artificial fish reefs.
7.Emergency Response to Utilizing Floating Structures for reconstruction
To develop newly ocean-going type wide area disaster prevention floating style bases in the three major bays of Japan. During disasters they may be towed one by one to the coast of the disaster areas. To install various kinds of floats at local ports to function as sewage treatment, desalination, electric generator, which may be towed to the coast of the disaster areas.