4-1 Prospects for Key Themes
4-1-1： Further Establishment of International Maritime Study Networks
Project members agreed that based on the strengthened and newly-established networks of policy and academic experts of maritime and security issues, the project should further investigate how Japan can and should promote regional cooperation. The members also agreed that this, in turn, will require the project to extend its relations with other research groups internationally.
4-1-2： More Comprehensive Study of Piracy Issues
As clearly pointed out in Conference Transcript 2, Japan needs to develop a way to contribute to solve piracy issues. In addition to the issue of legal obstacles to Japan's action in this area, project members expressed a need for dealing with safe transportation of nuclear materials.
4-1-3： Promotion of Japan-South Korea Maritime Cooperation
As briefed above and discussed in Conference Transcript 5, South Korea has been more and more involved in maritime activities. This is well expected to continue in the future. It is inevitable for Japan to strengthen its preparedness for potential maritime cooperation with South Korea.
4-1-4： Japan-US Security Arrangements and Regional Stability
The unquestionable importance of Japan-US security arrangements for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region has been repeatedly emphasized throughout the project. Project members agreed that these arrangements should be carefully but dynamically extended to other major regional actors to secure a more stable maritime/security environment
4-1-5： Further Study of Obstacles to Freedom of Navigation
The following six factors are becoming the most widely-recognized and accepted obstacles to freedom of navigation：
--Obstruction due to maritime accidents or disasters;
--Damage by piracy;
--Unilateral declaration restricting specific waters;
--Obstruction due to regional conflicts;
--International obstruction due to sea denial power;
--Obstruction to maritime transportation system
