No.80

December 5, 2003

●	Toward the realization of a Japan-Korea undersea tunnel Pyon Jinil Editor, Korea Report
●	Economic exchange in the Sea of Japan Sea Rim Area under globalization Yahiro Unno Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa University
●	Concept of the "Upside-Down Map" and "Japan Seaology" Kiyonobu Hashimoto Chief, Japan Oceanography Team, International and the Sea of Japan Policy Section, Toyama Prefecture

Toward the realization of a Japan-Korea undersea tunnel

Pyon Jinil
Editor, Korea Report

Although Japan and Korea have a close economic relationship, which is compared to a narrow strip of water, there still exists a considerable gap in politics between both countries. If Japan and Korea should be connected by an undersea tunnel, their relationship would become a closer one like that between the UK and France. Can a Japan-Korea undersea tunnel ever be realized in the 21st century?

Economic exchange in the Sea of Japan Sea Rim Area under globalization

Yahiro Unno
Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa University

It was hoped that the disintegration of the former Soviet Union would dramatically change the international environment in the Sea of Japan Rim Area, and many exchange projects were prepared. However, the subsequent globalization in the economy has made the actual changes much different from those expected. New policies and activities have become necessary.

Concept of the "Upside-Down Map" and "Japan Seaology"

Kiyonobu Hashimoto
Chief, Japan Oceanography Team, International and the Sea of Japan Policy Section, Toyama Prefecture

The "Upside-Down Map" visually presses us to change our thinking. "Japan Seaology," which was inspired by this map, appeals that it is significant to perform a comprehensive study on the Sea of Japan, from the viewpoint that "understanding the Sea of Japan could lead to understanding all the oceans."