On April 1, 2015, the Ship & Ocean Foundation (the Ocean Policy Research Foundation) merged with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF). From this merger the Ocean Policy Research Institute was established as part of the SPF. The Institute takes a range of initiatives in order to address the various maritime issues including integrated ocean governance and sustainable development of the world's oceans. Since 2000, the Ocean Policy Research Institute, formerly known as the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, has worked as a think tank which aims for a harmonious relationship between mankind and the oceans through ocean policy research, policy recommendations and publication of information. The Institute also contributed to the enactment of the 2007 Basic Act on Ocean Policy. Since then, the Institute has actively participated in international conferences and debates on maritime governance, and has conducted a number of activities to materialize and promote the implementation of 12 Basic Policies Measures on the ocean as stipulated in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy. Having inherited the activities, human resources, knowledge and networks of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, the Ocean Policy Research Institute will build upon the Foundation's legacy by conducting research, communication and collaboration as well as publicizing information on the oceans, both in Japan and overseas. 一般財団法人シップ・アンド・オーシャン財団（通称：海洋政策研究財団）は、2015年４月１日、笹川平和財団と合併し、海洋の総合的管理、持続可能な開発等の問題に取り組む「海洋政策研究所」が笹川平和財団に誕生しました。 海洋政策研究所の前身にあたる海洋政策研究財団は「人類と海洋の共生」を目指して2000年から海洋政策の研究、政策提言、情報発信等を行うシンクタンク活動を開始し、2007年の海洋基本法の制定に貢献しました。その後も、海洋ガバナンスに関する国際的な会議や議論に積極的に参画するとともに、海洋基本法が定めた12の基本的施策の具体化、実施の推進のためにシンクタンク活動を展開してきました。 海洋政策研究所は、その海洋政策研究財団の活動及びそれを支える人材と知見及びネットワークを継承し、内外で海洋に関する研究・交流・情報発信の活動を展開していく方針です。
Believing in the importance of the Japan-U.S. relations, the department initiates and provides support to various projects, in an effort to build and strengthen the basis under which the two countries could cooperate on regional and global issues. As a private organization, SPF tries to contribute to deepen public and policy debate through promoting those projects, standing on neutral and longer perspectives. 日米交流事業は、強固な日米関係の重要性に鑑み、民間財団として長期的な視点に立ち、日米が「協働」して世界の問題に取り組んでいく基盤の形成と強化を目指し、米国との多様な交流プロジェクトを実施し、また支援しています。