The series of Basic Map of the Sea comprises Coastal Waters sub-series, Continental Shelf sub-series and Oceanic Waters sub-series The Coastal Waters sub-series comprises two kinds of charts; Bathymetric Chart and Submarine Structural Chart. They are compiled using the results of echo sounding and seismic reflection survey records at the coastal waters of Japan, and information of manmade structures at scales of either 1:10,000 or 1:50,000. The Continental Shelf sub-series comprises four kinds of charts; Bathymetric Chart, Submarine Structural Chart, Total Magnetic Intensity Chart and Gravity Anomaly Chart. They are compiled using the results of systematic geophysical surveys made by the JHD, at scales of 1:200,000, 1:500,000, and 1:1,000,000.
Oceanic Water sub-series comprises three kinds of charts; Bathymetric charts, Geomagnetic Anomaly Chart and Gravity Anomaly Chart at the scale of 1:3,000,000.
These maps are used for delineating territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, utilizing and developing coastal regions, and scientific and academic researches.