Legal/Policy Response and Research Implementation for a Sustainable Arctic
Arctic research has rapidly developed into an important and emerging research field in the social sciences. The main research topics include a comprehensive and multifaceted analysis of the unique and complex international relations in the Arctic and an examination of international legal frameworks supporting the sustainability of the changing Arctic. Regarding the social implementation of research achievements, addressing issues of Arctic sustainability requires developing institutional solutions in collaboration with natural sciences.
In Strategic Goal 4, with an eye toward enhancing and deepening Arctic social science research across a broad spectrum of areas, we aimed to establish an academic basis for social science research to support the implementation and advancement of Japan's Arctic policy and to build a framework to link scientific knowledge obtained through Japan’s Arctic research to the implementation of adaptation measures required in the Arctic. Specifically, the goals were 1) to present a blueprint for resilient international frameworks supporting the sustainability of the changing Arctic based on empirical research of international law and policy and to provide research findings in a form that serves as a reference for Japanese and other stakeholders addressing Arctic-related issues; 2) to advance research for a holistic understanding of the complex political processes in the Arctic, and study the differences and coordination among diverse stakeholders underlying international discussions and regime formation in the Arctic; and 3) to identify comprehensively the necessary legal and policy response required to achieve sustainability of the Arctic, including through research based on an economic approach, to enable Japan to exercise leadership in addressing various Arctic policy challenges.
Many of the research outputs under Strategic Goal 4 involved two cross-cutting perspectives: the integration of scientific knowledge into international frameworks and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the Arctic. The research achievements contributing to Strategic Goal 4 can be broadly categorized into three themes, with some studies addressing more than one of these themes: Arctic Indigenous Peoples, the environment, economy, and society of the Arctic countries, and international governance of the Arctic Ocean. These outcomes include findings achieved through collaboration across multiple disciplines within the social sciences and through interdisciplinary collaboration between the social and natural sciences.
Regarding the social implementation of research results, we worked mainly with policymakers and stakeholders by publishing a series of briefing papers based on expert analysis of various topics and by hosting the "Arctic Transdisciplinary Community of Practice" to promote cross-sector dialogue among industry, government, and academia to address challenges. Some of the research findings were also successfully reflected in actual legal and policy processes, such as the scientific input provided for the implementation of the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean.