The series of Basic Map of the Sea comprises Coastal Waters sub-series, Continental Shelf sub-series and Ocean 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, Gravity Anomaly Chart, Geomagnetic Anomaly Chart, and Submarine Structural Chart. They are compiled using the results of systematic geophysical surveys made by the JHOD, at scales of 1:200,000, 1:500,000, and 1:1,000,000.
Ocean sub-series comprises three kinds of charts; Bathymetric charts, Gravity Anomaly Chart and Geomagnetic Anomaly Chart and 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.