About Us

Message from the Chairman

Japan, as an island country surrounded by sea, relies more than 99% of its imports and exports by volume on maritime transport. The maritime industry, which is essential for seaborne trade, therefore plays a key role to sustain our economic activities and livelihood.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic had caused disruptions to the global supply chain, port congestions around major ports have been eased since around mid-2022, partly due to economic slowdown in Europe following the Ukrainian crisis and reduced levels of consumption in the US due to inflation. The situation had also helped improve the supply-demand imbalance in the container shipping sector. However, we still face economic and security challenges exacerbated by high energy prices, and the unstable as well as rapidly changing international environment is continuing to impose significant impacts and challenges on our maritime community. For example, international shipping is facing an urgent need to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions aiming for decarbonization. Also, various initiatives are undertaken to promote innovation in the maritime sector, such as application of automation systems on vessels which can be controlled remotely, to adapt itself to changing needs.
Against this backdrop, the Japan Maritime Center (JMC) will continue to dedicate itself to (1) research activities on maritime-related issues to make policy proposals, (2) provision of support to activities serving public interests in the maritime sector, and (3) operation of the Maritime Library, to contribute to the development of Japan as a maritime nation.
Since March 2022, we have been holding a series of online "JMC Maritime Promotion Seminar". We have also renewed our logo, issued the JMC Report 2021 summarizing the results of our annual activities, and renewed our English pamphlet. We will continuously strive to improve our activities based on the PDCA cycle.
As a core think-tank of the maritime community in Japan, we will aim to contribute to further facilitate cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders in the maritime industry, government agencies and research institutes, to address the increasingly complex challenges relating to the maritime sector, taking into account the rapidly changing environment in the international community and global economy.
We look forward to your understanding and cooperation in our efforts and activities.

April 2023

Masafumi ShukuriChairman, Japan Maritime Center

Basic Philosophy

  • As a central think tank for the maritime community, we will contribute to cooperation and collaboration among the maritime industry, government agencies, and research institutions.
  • To contribute to the development of the maritime industry, which is indispensable to Japan’s economy and society.
  • To contribute to the promotion of public interest projects as a central institution in the maritime field
  • Contribute to the realization of a safe and secure maritime society
  • Contributing to the realization of a maritime society in harmony with the environment
  • Contributing to the international activities of the maritime community

Profile

The Japan Maritime Center (JMC) was established in April 2007 through the merger of the Nippon Kaiji Foundation and the Nippon Kaiun Shinkokai, both of which were established in 1964. In April 2011, we transitioned from a civil law foundation to a public interest incorporated foundation based on the “Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Association and Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.”

In order to accurately respond to the rapid changes in the global economy and the increasingly complex issues related to maritime affairs, the Center conducts activities based on three pillars: various maritime related research and policy proposals, operation of a maritime library, and support for maritime related public interest activities.

What we do

Our work is composed of three functions; (1) promotion of public interest activities related to maritime affairs, (2) survey and research about various maritime issues and policy proposals based on their outcomes, (3) operation of Maritime Library.
These three functions reduce a gap between maritime industry, governmental bodies, and academia, that will deliver the great value to maritime community in Japan.

Organization

Support for maritime-related public interest activities

JMC supports maritime-related public interest activities that promote cooperation with related organizations based on the needs of society, such as SDGs, global environment, and work style reform.

Subsidized Organizations in FY2023

Maritime Law

Japanese Maritime Law Association

Seafarers

Seamen’s Employment Center of JapanMaritime Academy FoundationThe Maritime Human Resource Institute, JapanThe Association for promoting safety and sanitation for Seafarers

Maritime Safety

The Japan Association of Marine Safety
Tokyo wan Association for Marine Safety
The Kobe Marine Casualty Prevention Institute
The Seibu Association for Preventing Marine Casualty
The Isewan Marine Safety Association
The Japan Sea Marine Accidents Prevention Association
Setonaikai Maritime Safety Association
Japan Marine Rescue Association
Marine Accident Inquiry and Safety I nvestigation Association
Japan Coast Guard Association

Maritime Public Relation

Japan Maritime Public Relation CenterJapan Sea Cadet Federation

Pilot

The Maritime Human Resource Institute, Japan

Seafarers’ Accident Prevention Project and Survival Training
Marine Youth League Activities