Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > July 2012 > Ceremony to Present the Prime Minister's Commendations for Contributors to Promote the country as a "Maritime Nation"
Ceremony to Present the Prime Minister's Commendations for Contributors to Promote the country as a "Maritime Nation"
Friday, July 13, 2012
Photograph of the Prime Minister at the commemorative photograph session with the award winners 1
Photograph of the Prime Minister presenting a certificate of award at the ceremony to commend contributors to promote the country as a "maritime nation"
Photograph of the Prime Minister presenting a medal to Sakana-kun at the ceremony to commend contributors to promote the country as a "maritime nation"
Photograph of the Prime Minister at the commemorative photograph session with the award winners 2
Photograph of the Prime Minister enjoying conversation with Sakana-kun
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended a ceremony to present the Prime Minister's commendations for contributors to promote the country as a "maritime nation," held at the Prime Minister's Office.
The commendations for contributors to promote the country as a "maritime nation" are stipulated in the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, according to the Basic Act on Ocean Policy, aimed at praising the achievements of people in various areas related to the ocean and introducing their efforts widely among the public, so as to create an opportunity to formulate people's understanding and interest in the ocean.
The Prime Minister said in his address, "I would like to extend my sincere respect for the achievements of the award winners today and my heartfelt congratulations to them.
Japan has as many as 6,847 isolated islands. It is a maritime nation having vast maritime areas under its jurisdiction, including both the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone, about 12 times as large as its land. With the extended continental shelf recommended by the United Nations this April added, the maritime area of Japan becomes as large as 13 times larger than its land area. The maritime areas have abundant aquatic resources including various kinds of seabed mineral resources. There are also growing expectations for maritime renewable energy. I believe that realizing this country as a new type of maritime nation can be accomplished by exploring the ocean as a frontier with such large potentials.
The government will continuously promote ocean policies comprehensively and strategically according to the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. However, in order to do so, the promotion of public understanding on the ocean is essential.
I would like to ask for the award winners today to lend their hands in our efforts to increase the public understanding on the ocean.
I would like to hope for the good health and further success of the award winners in the future as well."
