190
M. Seta
and Continental Shelf) was determined. Then, a working group was held to consider
‘how an MPA in the Okiai Area should be established.’
70
On the 12th November, the 36th meeting was held to discuss the same topic, and
as for the results of the committee’s discussion, public comments were requested.
Then, on the 21st January 2019, the 37th meeting was held and a report named ‘The
Establishment of an MPA in the Okiai Area to Conserve Biodiversity’ was concluded
and submitted to the Minister of the Environment.
71 This report argues that the unique
ecosystem of some seabed features, such as sea mountains, hydrothermal vents, and
trenches are essential for conserving biodiversity and managing living resources.
Furthermore, it was also noted in the report that the ecosystem in the Okiai Area
remains scientifically unknown. Consequently, the report emphasises the importance
of protecting such an ecosystem, by establishing MPAs, and provides instructions
on how to build and manage such MPAs.
72
After examining the report, the Japanese government drafted a bill to amend the
Nature Conservation Act, and that bill was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 1st
March 2019. It was then submitted to the 198th ordinary diet session and adopted
on 24th April (published on 26th).
73 In this amendment, the Act introduces Sect. 2
of Chap. 4 named the ‘Okiai Seabed Nature Conservation Area.’ According to this
new section, the Minister of the Environment may designate Okiai Seabed Nature
Conservation Area, thereby regulating the development of marine mineral resources
and the capture of flora and fauna.
74
10.3.2 Marine Litter
Recently, marine litter, also known as marine debris, has been considered a serious
marine environmental problem. For example, in 2009, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published a report titled ‘Marine Litter: A Global Challenge’ that argues that marine litter is ‘a global concern affecting all the oceans of
the world.’
75 Moreover, in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in 2016, it
was reported that ‘(w)ithout significant action, there may be more plastic than fish in
70 MOE, ‘Consideration toward the Establishment of the MPA at the Okiai Area’, available at http://
www.env.go.jp/nature/naturebiodic/kaiyo-hogoku.html (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
71 Ibid.
72 MOE, The Establishment of MPA in Okiai Area to Conserve Biodiversity, available at https://
www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/110591.pdf (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
73 MOE, supra note 70.
74 MOE, ‘A Comparison Table Showing the New and Old Versions of the Text of the Bill to Partially
Amend the Marine Pollution Prevention Act’, available at http://www.env.go.jp/nature/NCA-ichibu
kaisei_shinkyuu.pdf (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
75 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Marine Litter: A Global Challenge, (2009),
p. 5..
M. Seta
and Continental Shelf) was determined. Then, a working group was held to consider
‘how an MPA in the Okiai Area should be established.’
70
On the 12th November, the 36th meeting was held to discuss the same topic, and
as for the results of the committee’s discussion, public comments were requested.
Then, on the 21st January 2019, the 37th meeting was held and a report named ‘The
Establishment of an MPA in the Okiai Area to Conserve Biodiversity’ was concluded
and submitted to the Minister of the Environment.
71 This report argues that the unique
ecosystem of some seabed features, such as sea mountains, hydrothermal vents, and
trenches are essential for conserving biodiversity and managing living resources.
Furthermore, it was also noted in the report that the ecosystem in the Okiai Area
remains scientifically unknown. Consequently, the report emphasises the importance
of protecting such an ecosystem, by establishing MPAs, and provides instructions
on how to build and manage such MPAs.
72
After examining the report, the Japanese government drafted a bill to amend the
Nature Conservation Act, and that bill was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 1st
March 2019. It was then submitted to the 198th ordinary diet session and adopted
on 24th April (published on 26th).
73 In this amendment, the Act introduces Sect. 2
of Chap. 4 named the ‘Okiai Seabed Nature Conservation Area.’ According to this
new section, the Minister of the Environment may designate Okiai Seabed Nature
Conservation Area, thereby regulating the development of marine mineral resources
and the capture of flora and fauna.
74
10.3.2 Marine Litter
Recently, marine litter, also known as marine debris, has been considered a serious
marine environmental problem. For example, in 2009, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published a report titled ‘Marine Litter: A Global Challenge’ that argues that marine litter is ‘a global concern affecting all the oceans of
the world.’
75 Moreover, in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in 2016, it
was reported that ‘(w)ithout significant action, there may be more plastic than fish in
70 MOE, ‘Consideration toward the Establishment of the MPA at the Okiai Area’, available at http://
www.env.go.jp/nature/naturebiodic/kaiyo-hogoku.html (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
71 Ibid.
72 MOE, The Establishment of MPA in Okiai Area to Conserve Biodiversity, available at https://
www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/110591.pdf (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
73 MOE, supra note 70.
74 MOE, ‘A Comparison Table Showing the New and Old Versions of the Text of the Bill to Partially
Amend the Marine Pollution Prevention Act’, available at http://www.env.go.jp/nature/NCA-ichibu
kaisei_shinkyuu.pdf (last visited 21 May 2019) (in Japanese).
75 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Marine Litter: A Global Challenge, (2009),
p. 5..