Marine Scientific Research in Japan’s Practice

Abstract

This article examines Japan’s state practices on marine scientific research (MSR). The survey of state practices requires the discernment of generalisability and particularity in each state practice. There are two points to note while considering the generalisabilities and particularities in Japan’s practices: first, Japan oversees MSR activities in its waters according to a non-legal instrument or a guideline, unlike neighbouring countries that use domestic legislation in MSR upon ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; second, Japan faces quite a few MSR incidents in its undelimited exclusive economic zone. Thus, this article covers an outline of Japan’s guideline, its response to illegal or unregulated MSR activities in its waters, its relationships with neighbouring countries, and the failure of its attempt to legislate the MSR Law in 2007.