Innovative Social Practice and Community-Based Approach to the Ocean: Implications for Blue Impact Finance

This book stands as a pioneering work, illustrating a community-based and people-centered approach to the ocean. It meticulously outlines methodologies, procedures, and evaluations of social practices initiated by universities and think tanks, rooted in the actualization of social responsibility. Its outcomes extend towards implications for blue impact finance, highlighting a dedicated commitment to fostering positive change in oceanic environments. 

Universities play a vital role in bridging research and education to create innovative solutions for communities as partnerships. Japan and Taiwan share similar concerns as maritime states and recognize that collaboration is the linchpin for strengthening relationships among faculty, students, and local residents, ensuring sustainability with a positive societal impact. To address this issue, the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation collaborates with the Taiwan–Japan Alliance of Local Revitalization and Social Practice and the National Taiwan Ocean University. Through this joint effort, thematic case studies are selected to illuminate the methodology of impact assessment and evaluation for ocean-link initiatives within the framework of think tank–university social responsibility. 

This book contains four key parts: I. Methodology of Problem-solving Structure for Coastal Region; II. Challenges and Opportunities of Ocean-link Industries; III. Innovative Forms of Blue Impact; and IV. Evaluating Blue Impact from Social and Environmental Perspective. Successful experiences have been shown to rely on problem identification, assessment, and endeavor, driven by shared motivations and the establishment of trust among research institutes, universities, and communities.

This is an open access book.

Michael C. Huang is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a Visiting Researcher at the SciREX Center of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS). His research expertise includes economic analysis for projects related to the blue economy, blue finance, science, technology, innovation policy assessment, and disaster risk management. He has published various works in several academic journals, including the Journal of Social and Economic Development, Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, and Marine Policy. In addition, he has edited several books, including “Achieving Ocean Equity” (2025, Edward Elagar, co-ed) “Moving toward Net-Zero Carbon Society” (2023, Springer-Nature, co-eds.), “Blue Economy and Blue Finance” (2022, ADBI press, co-eds.), and “Climate Change and Disaster Management Law and Policy” (2020, New Sharing Publishing, co-eds.). Since 2025, Dr. Huang has served on the advisory board of the Ocean Impact Navigator, part of the 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition supported by the World Economic Forum.

Jih-Gau Juang is Vice President, National Taiwan Ocean University, Taiwan since 2016 and Distinguished Professor, Department of Communications, Navigation and Control Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Taiwan since 2019. His research fields include Artificial Intelligence; Intelligent Control; Vehicle Control; Robotic Systems; and FPGA-Based System Design. He has been awarded as First Prize, University Social Responsibility Award, Taiwan (2023); Top 2% of the world's top scientists - Lifetime scientific influence rankings, Stanford University & Elsevier (2021 & 2022); Outstanding Service Contribution Award, Automatic Control Society, Taiwan (2020); Innovation and Advancement Award, 17th National Innovation Award (2020); Silver Medal Award, 11th IIIC International Innovation and Invention Competition (2020); and The 16th National Innovation Award, Taiwan (2019).

Hongshi Jin is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Policy Science, Ryukoku University since 2014. She specializes in Environmental Economics and Public Finance. Her research and social activities include the service as Director in Ryukoku University Asian Center for Environmental Policy Research and the Chief Director in NPO Corporation ECONET KINKI. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Kyoto University.