The Journal of Marine Science and Technology (JMST) has been serving as a platform for publishing valuable research papers in the field of marine science and technology since 1995. I was appointed editor-in-chief in 2005, succeeding Prof. Hideaki Miyata. Since then, JMST has maintained its position as a leading journal in the field, and the number of submitted papers has increased by 50%. The impact factor last year, using the ISI Science Citation Index, is 0.830, the highest among seven journals in marine engineering and 36th among 91 journals in civil engineering. I am deeply grateful to those who have submitted their papers, those who have reviewed the papers, and those who have managed the review process as members of the editorial committee. Papers of lasting academic value, indispensable for the development of science and technology, cannot be published without those voluntary efforts, which require a high level of dedication and sophistication.

The time has come for me to relinquish the chair of editor-in-chief, as Prof. Masahiko Fujikubo has been appointed to be the fifth editor-in-chief. I believe the journal will continue to develop and will play an ever-increasing role in the field of marine science and technology under his leadership.

Yoshiaki Kodama

Former Editor-in-Chief

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

It is my great honor to be appointed editor-in-chief of the Journal of Marine Science and Technology (JMST), which now has a well-established position in the field of marine engineering. JMST provides a forum for the discussion of current issues in marine science and technology, with a range of topics extending from research in naval architecture, marine engineering, and ocean engineering to marine-related research, including the fields of environmental science and technology and oceanography. To make the peer-review process of this wide range of topics more substantial and systematic, we have grouped the areas into seven categories, namely, resistance and propulsion, ship dynamics, ocean engineering, structure and material, design and production, navigation and logistics, and marine engine and equipment; and we have assigned a recognized expert in each area as an associate editor, who is responsible for the category and who supervises and supports deputy editors. This new system was launched a year ago and has been working quite effectively to improve the quality and efficiency of the review process. The on-line submission and editorial system, introduced four years ago, has encouraged the submission of manuscripts and increased the number of papers published in JMST. It is interesting to note that this sometimes reduces the impact factor, but more essential is maintaining the high quality of the journal. I am pleased to acknowledge in this regard the great efforts of the editorial board members and reviewers of JMST for their high level of review standards.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to our former editor-in-chief, Dr. Yoshiaki Kodama, for his excellent leadership and achievement. I will try my best to further strengthen JMST so that it can continue to contribute to the field of marine science and technology, which plays an important role in supporting human activities for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Masahiko Fujikubo

Editor-in-Chief

Journal of Marine Science and Technology