[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 13th meeting of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the revision of the Basic Policy concerning Preservation and Management of Remote Islands for Management of the Sea, the state of progress in FY2014 and items to be implemented in FY2015 in relation to the Basic Low-water Line Preservation Plan, and events for the 20th Marine Day.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“As Japan is a country surrounded on all sides by the ocean, the steady implementation of the preservation and management of remote islands not only contributes to the people’s lives and economic activities, but also plays a major role in the protection of Japan’s territory and the management of Japan’s jurisdictional marine zones.

To that end, in order to strengthen the stable management of remote islands, which comprises the basis of Japan’s jurisdictional marine zones, today we have decided on a new basic policy. I would like all the ministers to immediately start implementing the various measures determined in this basic policy.

I would like the relevant ministries and agencies to work together to ensure that the 20th Marine Day events that will take place on July 20th strongly promote Japan’s contributions and other endeavors as a maritime nation. Thank you.”