Hello, everyone.  I am SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan.

I am truly pleased to commemorate Marine Day 2021.

For Japan, a nation surrounded by the sea that enjoys one of the world’s leading vast maritime jurisdictions, there is a great need to defend our seas in order to ensure the preservation of our territory and the safety of our people, and to make the best use of our seas as a foundation for the continued existence and growth of our economy and society.

In order for Japan to carry out this mission as a maritime nation, we will formulate our Basic Plan on Ocean Policy and engage in comprehensive maritime security to ensure free, open, and safe seas.

In addition, climate change is said to be a major cause of extreme weather events occurring in locations around the globe in recent years, including concentrated heavy rains, forest fires, and heavy snowfall, making decarbonization an issue of great urgency.

At the same time, responses to climate change will not be a constraint upon the economy, but instead serve as a driving force vigorously propelling Japan’s economic growth.

In line with this thinking, I declared that Japan will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and we have pursued such efforts as a pillar of the Growth Strategy.

We will also utilize innovations on our seas, including the generation of offshore wind power, to accelerate a virtuous cycle of the economy and the environment and lead efforts by the international community to realize the Paris Agreement’s goal of a decarbonized society.

Moreover, to protect our beautiful seas, it will be crucial for us to work in cooperation with the international community to respond to marine plastic litter.

At the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit, Japan set out the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision,” which aims to reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050. Working together with relevant organizations, Japan will proactively provide technical support and other assistance to help make this vision a reality.

I will end this message for Marine Day 2021 by expressing once again my appreciation for the benefits we receive from the sea and a wish for the maritime nation of Japan as well as the world to enjoy ever-greater peace and prosperity.

Thank you very much.