[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 16th meeting of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, discussions were held toward the establishment of the next Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, as well as legal formulation of the basic policy on the protection of inhabited remote island areas and the maintenance of communities on specific inhabited remote islands. There was also a report on the registration of remote islands considered ownerless as national property, and key measures implemented in FY2016 based on the Basic Low-water Line Preservation Plan.

Based on the discussion and the report given at the meeting, the Prime Minister said,

"Today, we have decided to begin conducting reviews toward the establishment of the next Basic Plan on Ocean Policy.
It has been almost ten years since the formulation of the Basic Law on Ocean Policy. The situation relating to the oceans surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe, including incidents of intrusion by foreign government-owned and other vessels into territorial seas surrounding Japan. For Japan, as a maritime nation, to protect peace, security, and maritime national interests, as well as to maintain and promote open and stable sea, Japan must implement long-term and systematic measures with a strong resolve while keeping an eye firmly on changes occurring with the passage of time and in the surrounding environment.
In the next Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, maritime security will be considered by taking it up broadly, and initiatives will be enhanced on issues such as patrols in territorial seas, the securing of public order, and disaster preventions. We will strengthen our maritime security system such as strengthening the Japan Coast Guard, as well as make every effort for the establishment of a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system that will contribute to the early detection of various threats and risks, and for the preservation and maintenance of remote islands.
In order to secure a stable supply of energy and natural resources, we will work toward the commercialization of ocean resource development for methane hydrate and other resources. We will also work to protect the ocean environment and develop personnel in the maritime field.
I would like to ask ministers to advance detailed discussions on these matters in cooperation with each other.
Today, we approved the formulation of the basic policy based on the so-called Law on Special Measures for Inhabited Remote Island Areas. Based on this policy, I would like to ask ministers to implement effective measures in cooperation with each other to contribute to achieve the goal that the number of people moving into the remote island areas exceeds the number of people moving out of them."