Japan brings professor to explain its maritime policy at Dhaka University

The Japanese embassy has brought a professor of law from Tokyo and explained its new maritime policy that focused on security aspects, amidst growing threats from China, among the students and teachers of Dhaka University.

Atsuko Kanehara of Sophia University is also a Councilor of Advisory Council for the National Headquarters for Ocean Policy of Japan.

In her lecture on Wednesday, she introduced Japan’s recent development regarding its ocean policies and focused on the free and open Indo-Pacific Strategy which is the core value of Japan’s policy.

She also urged all countries to uphold this value which has its origin back in the 17th century.

The East Asia Study Center of the Dhaka University co-organised the lecture with the Japan embassy in Dhaka.

Charge d’affaires of Japan embassy Takeshi Ito, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences of Dhaka University Prof Sadeka Halim, and Director of the Center for Genocide Studies Prof Imtiaj Ahmed also spoke at the event chaired by Prof Delwar Hossain, chief of the East Asia Study Centre.

On May 15 this year, Japan approved the third basic plan on ocean policy as part of its review five years apart.

This time, the policy highlighted maritime security in a reversal from the previous version which focused largely on sea resource development.

The ocean programme cited threats from North Korea’s launch of ballistic missiles, and operations by Chinese vessels around the Japan-controlled and China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The government takes a comprehensive plan to make full use of its all agencies to ensure maritime security.

In addition to the use of Japan Self-Defense Forces and Japan Coast Guard, the policy prioritises the establishment of structures for Maritime Domain Awareness and preservation and management of remote islands.

Coastal radar equipment, aircraft, high-tech optical satellites of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and research vessels will also be used to strengthen Japan’s intelligence gathering abilities.

“Based on a broad understanding of ocean policy from the perspective of maritime security, the plan clearly states that the whole government shall come together to promote comprehensive maritime security, which cover not only the core maritime security measures, but also the ocean measures that could contribute to maritime security,” Prof Kanehara said.

Main measures other than the security aspect, she said, are: promotion of industrial use of the ocean, maintain and protect the maritime environment, improve scientific knowledge, promote Arctic policy and international collaboration and cooperation.