Muddling through successfully: Japan's post-war ocean policy and future prospects

Japan's national ocean policy in the post-war decades has been shaped by several factors: (1) the nation's heavy dependence on ocean space and resources for its economic survival and prosperity; (2) the historical context of the nation's post-war political life; (3) the need to balance the nation's domestic policy priorities and international policy needs; (4) the need to coordinate its developmental needs and environmental concerns; and (5) the policy-making structure and process. The paper describes how these factors have rendered the nation's post-war ocean policies incremental and often ad hoc. Illustrative examples are drawn from the fisheries, shipping, environment, maritime security, and science and technology sectors. The paper then argues that Japan must overcome its sectoral approach to policy making in order to meet successfully the three most critical challenges facing its ocean policy, namely balancing development and environmental needs, coordinating domestic and foreign policy priorities, and playing a leadership role by sharing its experience and expertise.