In our previous blog posts, we have explored why the concept of a “maritime civilization” is necessary at this time, and why it has now reached the stage where it is a realistic and viable option.

A maritime civilization is not merely about building structures at sea. It is an endeavor in which humanity seeks new forms of society as the very conditions for civilization undergo transformation. In this process, there is a question we cannot avoid.

How will the concept of the “nation-state” change from here on out？

Upon hearing these words, some may wonder, “Will borders disappear?” or “Will nations themselves become obsolete?” However, the maritime civilization we advocate does not reject the nation-state; rather, it holds the potential to “evolve” the institution of the nation-state into a form suited to the coming era.

■ The Nation-State has Been Founded on The Premise of “Stability”

Modern nation-states have traditionally been defined by the concepts of territory, borders, and　sovereignty. Underlying this was the assumption that “people settle in specific lands.” The state manages the land, administers public affairs, and develops infrastructure to support people’s lives—in other words, the traditional state was, at its core, a system designed to manage a “fixed space.” However, as discussed in previous installments, modern civilization itself is beginning to shift from “fixed” to “functional.”

A maritime civilization is one that is sustained not by fixed land but by the maintenance of necessary “functions.” If the fundamental premises of such a civilization change, the role of the state that supports it will inevitably change as well.

■ The Role of The State: From “Control” to “Cooperation”

Until now, the primary role of the state has been to defend its territory and maximize its own interests. Of course, maintaining sovereignty will remain essential. However, in a world where maritime civilization continues to develop, that alone is not enough.

Ocean currents cross national borders. The marine environment and natural disasters also across national borders. The management of marine resources cannot be accomplished by a single country alone. In other words, in a maritime civilization, a nation’s standing will be measured not by “how much territory it can control,” but by “how well it can cooperate with other nations.”

We are moving from an era in which nations compete over their interests to an era in which they collaborate and cooperate to preserve the oceans—our “shared global foundation.” Marine civilization has the potential not to eliminate nations, but to transform their roles.

■ However, Institutions Alone cannot Change a Civilization

Here, we must confront an even more fundamental question: Can we truly transition to a new civilization simply by changing institutions and systems？

Past civilizations, too, possessed the most advanced technologies and institutions of their time. Yet, looking back at history, we see that they have all followed a path of decline. Was this due to a lack of technology？ Or were their institutions inadequate？ Of course, those factors likely played a role. However, we believe the problem lies in something far more fundamental: namely, that humanity has lost sight of the “humanity” that was inherent to us.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, many past maritime civilizations did not pursue “coexistence” but instead turned toward “domination and exploitation” of others and nature. As a result of their attempts to rule the seas, subdue nature, and dominate others, they brought about severe environmental destruction and conflict, and these civilizations ultimately collapsed under the weight of their own success.

This historical trajectory mirrors modern civilization exactly. Even as we have gained access to advanced science and technology, we continue to grapple with global challenges such as environmental and resource issues, as well as war and division. In other words, we must conclude that the root of the problem lies not in technology itself, but in the very “nature of humanity” that employs it.

■ What Is The “Restoration of Humanity”？

The term “restoration of humanity” as used here does not refer to any specific religion or ideology.Rather, it involves rediscovering the extremely obvious and fundamental realization that “humans, too, are part of nature.”

Modern civilization has placed humans outside of nature, viewing it as something to be exploited and controlled. However, humans do not inherently exist independently of nature. We are sustained by the ocean, nourished by water, and nurtured by the earth. Without the ocean, the climate would not function; without water, life itself could not be sustained. Humans, too, are part of the Earth’s biosphere.

■ The Goals of a Maritime Civilization

The marine civilization we advocate is not merely about building a new social system. It is also a civilization designed to help humanity reconnect with nature and relearn how to coexist with all other forms of life.

Unlocking the ocean’s infinite potential does not mean consuming it without limit. It means living in harmony with the ocean and extending its rich potential into the future.

No matter how advanced the technology or systems we build may be, if the people who inhabit this world lack spiritual maturity, our maritime civilization will inevitably follow in the footsteps of past civilizations. That is precisely why the true foundation of a maritime civilization lies not in technology, but in spirituality. Whether it be the evolution of a nation or the transformation of social systems, the “restoration of humanity” is indispensable at their very core.

■ What Is Being Questioned Is not The Form of Civilization, But The Nature of Humanity

It is not only the form of the nation-state that will change as a result of the maritime civilization. What is truly at stake is the question of “what kind of beings will humans become in the future？”

Will we live as rulers who dominate nature？ Or will we become beings who live in harmony with nature, sustained by it as part of the natural world？ A marine civilization is defined by that very choice, and it is precisely through that choice that the solid foundation of a new civilization—the “restoration of humanity”—will be built.