This study is theoretically underpinned by Ostrom's (1990, 2005) school of thought in general and eight design principles (Ostrom, 1990, 1992, 2010) in particular. Our interdisciplinary research team comprises academics from different universities with strong theoretical backgrounds in economics, public administration, political science, and fisheries resource management, as well as a marine research institute practitioner who is well versed in the management of Japan's coastal