(海洋エネルギー・鉱物資源開発計画, March 22, 2024 – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Brief

Japan’s newly revised national plan for ocean energy and seabed mineral development expands the country's focus beyond energy security to include carbon neutrality, international rule-making, and domestic commercial readiness.

The plan calls for a state-led but industry-enabled approach to explore and develop resources such as methane hydrates, hydrothermal deposits, cobalt-rich crusts, and rare earth muds within Japan’s surrounding waters and on the deep seabed.

It also integrates carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a formal priority.

Origins

Japan imports nearly all of its fossil fuels and mineral resources, making it vulnerable to geopolitical and supply-chain disruptions.

The 2024 plan continues a long-term national effort launched in 2009 under the Basic Ocean Policy Law to diversify energy and resource access by harnessing marine deposits within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf.

The revised plan reflects updated energy policies — including Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality pledge — and advances in exploration and environmental monitoring technologies.

Key Changes

The plan covers six resource areas and one cross-sectoral addition (CCS). For each, it identifies past progress, remaining technical and regulatory hurdles, and next steps toward commercialization.

1. Methane Hydrates

Two forms — sand-layer and surface-type — are confirmed in Japanese waters. Since 2013, Japan has conducted two offshore production tests and one long-term onshore test to understand extraction behavior and improve stability. This on-shore trial began in September 2023 and is intended to run for several years to generate continuous production data. The current focus is on:

  • Enhancing production modeling and simulation accuracy.
  • Reducing environmental impacts from seabed disturbance.
  • Developing commercial strategies including hydrogen and ammonia production from extracted gas.

By 2030, the aim is to launch private-sector-led demonstration projects with government-supported technical frameworks.

2. Oil & Natural Gas

Despite limited domestic production, Japan has continued 3D seismic surveys and exploratory drilling in sedimentary basins across its EEZ. Although initial results are mixed, promising gas indicators were detected off Hokkaido. The plan emphasizes:

  • Completing 50,000 km² of 3D seismic mapping by 2028 — equivalent to an average survey pace of roughly 5,000 km² each year during 2019 - 2028.
  • Supporting exploratory drilling with public-private risk-sharing.
  • Using acquired data to support CCS site selection.

3. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

CCS is now embedded as a formal part of ocean resource planning, with Japan targeting 6 - 12 million tons of CO₂ storage per year by 2030. The roadmap includes:

  • Advancing liquified CO₂ transport from ports to offshore storage sites.
  • Finalizing regulatory and safety frameworks.
  • Supporting early commercial projects through public-private partnerships.

4. Seafloor Hydrothermal Deposits

Rich in copper, zinc, gold, and silver, these deposits lie in accessible waters near Okinawa and Izu-Ogasawara. Japan has verified resource estimates at over 51 million tons and developed prototype extraction equipment. However, commercialization is delayed by economic viability and legal uncertainties. Next steps include:

  • More precise deposit mapping and drilling.
  • Cost-reduction through integrated slurry lift systems.
  • Legal preparation aligned with international seabed authority (ISA) regulations.

5. Cobalt-Rich Crusts

Found on seamounts in Japan’s EEZ and in international waters under an ISA exploration contract, these crusts are high in cobalt and other rare metals critical for EVs. Japan has conducted seabed trials and started designing purpose-built mining equipment. The plan calls for:

  • Advancing drill testing and ore-lift technology.
  • Improving flotation and refining processes to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Deepening genetic and environmental impact studies for target zones.

6. Manganese Nodules & Rare Earth Mud

Both are found on the deep seafloor and are considered high-potential resources for battery and clean tech metals. Japan holds an ISA exploration contract and continues testing crawler-based nodule collection and air-lift mud recovery. Efforts focus on:

  • Verifying economic feasibility through upscaled tests.
  • Securing mining claims under Japanese law.
  • Integrating rare earth mud into a full domestic supply chain by piloting extraction-to-refinement at Minamitorishima.

Implementation Strategy

  • Government leadership in early-phase exploration, technology trials, and environmental surveys.
  • Private-sector involvement in equipment development and commercial deployment.
  • Cross-ministerial and academic partnerships to share vessels, data, and modeling capabilities.
  • Public engagement, youth education, and international collaboration (especially with ISA)

Notably, Japan reaffirms its intent to influence global seabed mining governance through ISA workshops and regional environmental planning, using its extensive environmental dataset as a scientific foundation.

Key Takeaways

  • Mining and energy technology firms can expect government-led pilot programs, contracting opportunities, and eventual licensing pathways for commercial seabed extraction.
  • Continued investment in geological surveys, ecological impact modeling, and mineral processing R&D will be critical. Data-sharing platforms and collaborative grants will expand.
  • Japan promises enhanced baseline studies, long-term monitoring, and adherence to both national and international environmental standards.
  • Japan will actively shape seabed governance norms through ISA engagement and bilateral cooperation, promoting a “balanced” approach to resource use and conservation.
  • The plan anticipates wide outreach and transparency, reinforcing that seabed development will proceed only under rigorous environmental scrutiny and for national benefit.