News Japan to expand its continental shelf east of Ogasawara archipelago

[thomas]

Last Friday, Japan expanded what it recognizes as its continental shelf to the eastern part of the Ogasawara archipelago around 1,000 kilometres south of Tokyo, enabling the country to extract maritime natural resources such as rare metals from the region. At a government meeting, PM Kishida said that Japan has designated a significant portion of the Ogasawara Plateau sea area as part of its continental shelf and has coordinated with the United States.

To have its continental shelf recognized beyond its exclusive economic zone, Japan needed the approval of an institution established under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea on the continuity of the seabed topography and agreements from relevant countries. Under former PM Abe, in 2014, the Japanese government hammered out a policy to expand the nation's continental shelf. Under the U.N. law, a coastal state can claim control of the seabed beyond the traditional 200 nautical mile limit for its exclusive economic use if it can prove the ocean floor is connected to its continental shelf.

The importance of rare earth minerals cannot be overstated, especially considering their crucial role in high-tech products. However, the global market dynamics present a concerning picture as China, a major producer, has been making apparent moves to dominate industries with a significant market share. This dominance is boosting its economic clout and influencing growing sectors that rely heavily on such materials.

Japan expands continental shelf, eyes maritime resource extraction - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Friday expanded what it recognizes as its continental shelf to the eastern part of islands in the Pacific Ocean around 1,000

mainichi.jp

Japan to expand its continental shelf in waters east of Ogasawara island chain | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japan is to extend its continental shelf by adding about 120,000 square kilometers under waters east of the Ogasawara island chain in the Pacific Ocean. The government hopes the extension will lead to the development of critical minerals and other important resources.

www3.nhk.or.jp

 

[johnnyG]

When I look at those islands on google maps (and I think that link will show the right view, just zoom out), I guess I don't see really any continental shelf there. There's apparently a ridge that runs from japan on down thru those islands to saipan/guam, but nothing that is obviously a shelf--especially not something that would extend/exist beyond the EEZ zone that is already established.

I suppose the goal might be to connect the EEZ areas around those islands with the one surrounding Minamitorishima, but still, I don't see (cannot find) what 'continental shelf' might be there.

I've tried googling for images, or images of maps, that would show a shelf or something, but no luck.

Any ideas for this?

 

[johnnyG]

It seems the US, Canada, and Russia are also in the game.