Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy in 2013 (10th in total) at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy was decided.

Based on the decision, the Prime Minister said in his address,

"In regard to the oceans of Japan, the successful trial production of gas from methane hydrates for the first time in the world, among other achievements, has prompted increasing expectations for the development of ocean resources. Meanwhile, the security environment has become ever more perilous, requiring Japan to firmly protect its territorial waters.
The Basic Plan on Ocean Policy approved today will guide the realization of Japan as a maritime nation in light of these circumstances we are facing.
With the Plan's establishment, it will be crucial that the Headquarters for Ocean Policy exercises its functions as a control tower, and concurrently, the Government works as one to implement ocean policy.
I ask ministers for their further efforts in ensuring that under the leadership of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy, the ministries work together in carrying out the Plan to realize a new maritime nation."