Japan intends to extend its continental shelf by 120,000 square kilometers.
Japan** recently announced that it plans to designate most of the "Ogasawara Sea Terrace Waters" east of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands as Japan's continental shelf, with a total area of about 120,000 square kilometers. This decision aims to expand the extent of Japan's continental shelf and develop resources locally.
It is reported that the seabed of this area contains rare metals, and Japan** believes that its inclusion within the continental shelf will help to better develop and utilize these resources. In order to achieve this goal, Japan** will begin to revise the relevant regulations and coordinate with the United States.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the continental shelf refers to the seabed and subsoil of the seabed area beyond the territorial sea of a coastal State that extends beyond the territorial sea of the coastal State to the entire natural extension of its land territory to the continental margin. If the continental shelf of a coastal State exceeds a distance of 200 nautical miles in accordance with the principle of natural extension, it may also have an exclusive economic zone of up to 350 nautical miles. The coastal State has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the continental shelf and may exploit and exploit natural resources in the area.
It has been about 10 years of coordination between Japan and the United States before making progress in negotiations in parts of the Ogasawara Sea Terrace. Now, Japan** will complete the domestic procedures as soon as possible to include the relevant area in Japan's extended continental shelf.
This decision has sparked some controversy and concern. Some environmental groups fear that expanding the continental shelf could lead to the destruction of the marine ecosystem and the overexploitation of resources. In addition, some experts in international law and geography have also questioned Japan's decision, arguing that it may violate the principles of international law and geography.
In any case, Japan** has already made this decision and will start working on it. In the future, we will closely monitor the progress of this issue and assess its impact on the marine environment and resource development.