PROPOSAL OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK(S) FOR PROTECTION OF UNDERSEA INFRASTRUCTURE BASED UPON THE RGHT TO PROTECT USES OF SEA

◆Research Director Atsuko Kanehara participated in the 13th Global Ocean Regime Conference, held on 3–4 November 2025 in Seoul, Korea, which was hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea and organized by Korea Maritime Institute.

The theme is “The Law of the Sea and the Blue Economy in the Age of Climate Crisis: Emerging Challenges.”

Kanehara made a presentation for the Special Session on “Protecting Submarine Cables: Legal Gaps and Global Imperatives,” entitled “PROPOSAL OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK(S) FOR PROTECTION OF UNDERSEA INFRASTRUCTURE BASED UPON A RGHT TO PROTECT USES OF SEA.”

The gist of her presentation and the PPT slides are as follows.

Her presentation is an expanded version of her previous contribution to the Conference on “International Law and the Protection of Submarine Cables and Pipelines

: Multi-Dimensional Perspective” held on 16-17 in Singapore.

Its gist and PPT were issued on the CIGS HP, on 1 of October, 2025.

“ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR PROTECTION OF UNDERSEA INFRASTRUCTURE: A RIGHT TO PROTECT USES OF OCEAN”

https://cigs.canon/en/article/20251001_9274.html

In the previous presentation, in Singapore, Kanehara proposed a legal framework for the protection of undersea infrastructure being based upon an idea of “The Right to Protect Uses of Sea.” First, she presupposed an entire sketch of “the International Law of Undersea Infrastructure,” and then, by putting such a sketch under the framework limited to the law of the sea, provided succinct analysis of the principal issues.

This time, in Seoul, Kanehara expanded her examination by further considering possible legal frameworks for the protection of undersea infrastructure. She proposed, first, the law of the sea with necessary amendment. Second, putting the right to protect uses of sea under general international law, and combining with it the relevant elements of other fields of international law, she considered a more general legal framework of the law for the protection of undersea infrastructure. Third, she suggested a special law for the protection of undersea infrastructure.

◆The Related Works by Research Director Atsuko Kanehara

・“The Houthi Rebels’ Attack against Japan-Related Vessel in the Red Sea: An Idea of the Right to Protect Uses of Sea’” https://cigs.canon/en/article/20241224_8535.html

・“Japan’s Request of Extradition of the Founder of Sea Shepherd: Recovery and Maintenance of the Common Interests of International Society and the Inherent Interests of Japan, a Sovereign State” https://cigs.canon/en/article/20240826_8292.html