Junichi Kanamaru
Director General, Seafarers Department,
Maritime Technology and Safety Bureau,
Ministry of Transport, Japan
Thank you chairman Professor Hara, Professor Zade, Vice Rector of the
World Maritime University, Mr. Toda, President of the International Maritime Lecturers
Association, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen from more than 40 countries in
the world gathered here today.
At first, it is my great honor to extend, on behalf of the Ministry of
Transport and the Japanese Government, my sincere welcome to all of the participants at
this IMLA conference.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Nippon Foundation,
the Mercantile Marine Institute of Japan, the Kobe University of Mercantile Marine and
other related personnel for their efforts to hold this IMLA meeting in the city of Kobe,
which as you know suffered from the Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake Disaster in January
1995.
It goes without saying that Japan is surrounded on all sides by ocean
waters, and depends heavily on sea-borne trade for imports of most of its raw materials,
as well as the exports which are made from these raw materials. From this year, we began
to celebrate the 20th of July as a national holiday named "Marine Day" to
appreciate the great benefits of the sea and to wish the prosperity of our country as a
Maritime Nation.
As a government officer in charge of seafarers administration, I would
like to express my great pleasure that this conference of the IMLA take place for the
first time in Japan and the Asian region, on this commemorative year.
The responsibilities of the Seafarers Department, Ministry of Transport
are to oversee the general co-ordination of the labour system of seafarers, Port State
Control,
