Takashi YAMAUCHI, Chairman, Techno Ocean Network

Currently, I am serving as the Committee Chair for Ocean Resources for the Federation of Economic Organizations. As with TON, the Federation forms a network across a wide range of fields to bring the expertise of researchers and organizations together to nurture new forms of research and development. I think this is the ideal way forward for ocean development.

As my own specialty is architecture, I do not have a lot of experience in the marine field, but I would like to contribute to the activities of the TON, not only through the knowledge and experience I have accumulated so far, but also by utilizing the network I have built.

Needless to say, our country is blessed with an outstanding treasure of resources in our all-surrounding oceans and we have high expectations for them. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, the public’s interest in how we secure our energy supplies has increased, for example, for creating renewable energy systems such as off-shore wind farms. Likewise, the pace of development towards new energy and mineral resources, e.g. methane hydrate or hydrothermal deposits in the exclusive economic zone is increasing. Furthermore, in the fishing industry, the style of fish farming is shifting away from simply catching young fish, towards a more comprehensive farming process that begins with egg incubation. Current times dictate that we must create systems away from conventional approaches and take a different point of view.

I believe that it is here that TON’s strength as a network comes into full play. Not only are individual experts from various fields able to approach issues and solutions independently, but they can also fuse their knowledge, skills and experience through the network. This is what is needed if we are to answer the needs of a complex and continuously evolving society.

From now on, the significance of TON’s very existence can be expected to grow greater still. I will therefore do my utmost to improve the added value nature of the network and to contribute to TON’s further development. I ask everybody to continue your kind support.