The global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) increased the number of international merchant vessels detained before entering port for quarantine reasons, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the maritime industry within the global supply chain. Additionally, the security threats to vital sea lanes that support the global economy have been escalating due to expansive maritime claims by certain states in the South China Sea and East China Sea, Russia's invasion of Ukraine accompanied by a blockade at sea and acts of piracy by Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen resulting from the 2023 and ongoing Israel-Hamas War.

Japan, an island nation surrounded by the sea, depends on international maritime transport for 99.6% of its trade volume. Nearly 100% of the trade volume of essential goods such as energy, mineral resources, and food, which are the foundation of economic activities and national life, also relies on international maritime transport. The "international maritime industry" has been designated as a core infrastructure service under the Economic Security Promotion Act enacted in 2022.

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In the United States, the Federal Maritime Commission and the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration have been enhancing the economic security of the maritime industry as an extension of national security. Moreover, economic security issues, including supply chains, are expected to be major concerns in the upcoming presidential election in November.

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For Japan and the United States, whose economic prosperity and security depend on sea lanes, maritime security and the maintenance of order are prerequisites for national survival. Ensuring the safety of these sea lanes is also a critical issue in realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), led by Japan and the United States. In collaboration with QUAD countries such as Australia and India, as well as allies like Europe and South Korea, Japan and the United States have pursued the stability of sea lanes through capacity-building support and trilateral/multilateral training with Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations. This commitment was reaffirmed in the joint statement from the Japan-U.S. summit in April, which highlighted the shared vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," and in the G7 Transport Ministers' declaration promoting cooperation to build a resilient transportation supply chain.

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In this symposium, with the global common goal of stabilizing sea lanes in mind, discussion will build upon the achievements of the Japan-U.S. summit and address various challenges that respective sectors in Japan and the United States, such as the maritime industry and public sector including maritime security authorities, need to cope with. Experts from the industry, government, and academia will be invited to give lectures and engage in discussions on ensuring a resilient U.S.-Japan supply chain through safe sea lanes as a path to economic security in the maritime sector.  There, the discussion on the supply chain would proceed mainly from a transportation network perspective rather than an individual goods-oriented approach.