Tugio MITSUOKA, Chairman, Techno Ocean Network

Currently, I am the Chair of the Committee on Ocean Policy of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), and I believe that a system like the Techno Ocean Network (TON), in which researchers and companies in various fields build a network that transcends the boundaries of specialized fields and links them to new research and development and industrial promotion, is very important for ocean development. I believe that a system that links researchers and companies in various fields to create a network that transcends the boundaries of specialized fields and promotes new research and development and industry is extremely important for ocean development.

Currently, the creation of new renewable energy sources utilizing the ocean, such as offshore wind power generation, and the development of metal and mineral resources within the exclusive economic zone, which is the sixth largest in the world, are being actively pursued. In the fisheries sector, there are calls for the establishment of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The government has also identified “ocean-related technologies” as one of the 20 areas of “specific key areas” for strengthening economic security. Furthermore, in the maritime field, such as security, efforts are required from a different perspective than in the past.
Needless to say, Japan’s oceans are expected to become a treasure trove of resources, and they are also very important in the SDGs.

In this context, I believe that in order to solve these issues, TON will be able to respond to the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and diverse society by taking advantage of its network, which is one of its strengths, and by integrating knowledge, wisdom, and experience from different fields through the network, rather than just having experts in each field work independently on measures to deal with these issues. This is the key to meeting the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and diverse society.
As the significance of TON’s existence is expected to grow in the future, we will strive to add value to the network and contribute to TON’s development even more than before. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation.