Social Implementation

Currently, the SIP Marine Program is undertaking a wide range of initiatives as outlined below.

Identifying Latest Needs through Inter-Ministerial Coordination Meetings

Inter-ministerial coordination meetings involving the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of the Environment, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, and others, are identifying the latest needs in their respective specialized fields. This collaboration leverages the expertise of each ministry to accurately identify the demands for marine resource development. Additionally, this approach allows for more precise policy formulation and technological development, further strengthening the cooperation framework across different sectors.

Collaborative Research and Development with Private Companies

The SIP Marine Program actively promotes collaborative research and development with private companies. Specific projects include the development of new methods for mineral separation and the creation of affordable small autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). This collaboration accelerates the pace at which cutting-edge technologies are implemented in society, contributing to the overall competitiveness of the industry. By integrating the technological capabilities of companies with the knowledge of research institutions, new value creation is anticipated.

System Design for a Matching Fund in Collaboration with Start-Up Companies

The design of a matching fund system, in collaboration with start-up companies established through investments from multiple corporations, is another key initiative. This system supports emerging companies by incorporating their innovative ideas and technologies, aiding in their practical application. The matching fund provides comprehensive support that includes not only financial assistance but also technical support and market development aid, thereby fostering the growth of start-up companies. This approach is expected to generate new business models and expand markets, contributing to the revitalization of the marine industry as a whole.

Promoting Challenges through Inter-Ministerial and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration

The SIP Marine Program addresses challenges through inter-ministerial collaboration and industry-academia-government partnerships. Specifically, necessary measures are identified from five perspectives: technological development, system establishment, social acceptability, human resource development, and business innovation. A roadmap is created using the maturity level of each perspective, allowing for visualization of progress and efficient problem-solving. The integration of policy and technological development through inter-ministerial collaboration, along with the consolidation of diverse knowledge and resources via industry-academia-government partnerships, aims to solve these challenges.

Concrete Prospects for Social Implementation

The SIP Marine Program outlines concrete prospects for the social implementation of its achievements. For example, it aims to commercialize efficient deep-sea resource exploration technologies and environmentally-friendly production techniques by conducting demonstration tests and field trials. Moreover, efforts are being made to build new business models based on the obtained data and to balance environmental conservation with economic development. These initiatives contribute to the sustainable use of marine resources and the establishment of a next-generation energy supply system.

Through these efforts, we aim to accelerate the achievement of our goals and consider the social implementation of our results. The SIP Marine Program seeks to promote technological development and social implementation in an integrated manner, contributing significantly to Japan's security and economic development by realizing the sustainable use of marine resources.