Japan is one of few countries which celebrate Marine Day as a public holiday.

Marine Day used to be the 20^th of July when it was enacted in 1995. It was after the event that young Meiji Emperor safely returned back from Hakodate to Yokohama aboard SS "Meiji Maru" on the 20^th of July in the 9^th year of the Meiji era, after visiting anxious people in Tohoku district. The purpose of Marine Day is for the Japanese people to appreciate the blessing of the sea and pray for the prosperity of a maritime nation, Japan.

In January of 1995, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit. The fact that many of fist relief goods were delivered by way of the sea accelerated the proceedings of the Diet for the enactment of Marine Day. In 2003, Marine Day was changed to the 3^rd Monday of July after introduction of so-called happy Monday. As a result, many people simply enjoy consecutive holidays without considering the meaning of this holiday, especially among young generation. I wish Marine Day be turned back to the 20^th of July for offering an opportunity to think about the sea, apart from the promotion of sightseeing.

It is needless to say that Japan is a maritime nation, and that the Japanese economy and people's living are supported by the ocean transportation of energy, resources and foods. Especially on the part of energy, while the rate of dependency on fossil fuel reaches 90% due to the shutdown of nuclear plants, almost all of LNG, crude oil and coal are imported. We would not be able to maintain normal people's living and economic activities for even one day, should the security of the sea-lane in the Straits of Hormuz or Malacca be jeopardized. In that sense, it is encouraging that the international escort activities against Somali pirates are maintained by cooperation of more than 20 countries, including US, EU, Russia, India, China, Japan, and so on, based on the resolution of UN Security Council.

While discussions on national security, including the right of collective self-defense, become active, in accordance with such reality surrounding Japan, I hope that Maine Day give an occasion for each one of the Japanese people to consider the security of the sea and ocean transportation.