Japan’s Pacific claims fuelled by search for resources, Chinese expansionism

Natural resources worth a staggering 300 trillion yen (HK$21.75 trillion) are believed to lie on or below the seabed in the vast tracts of the Pacific Ocean that Japan will incorporate into its exclusive economic zone from October 1, although analysts say security concerns were also a major factor behind Tokyo’s move.

The Japanese cabinet decided on Tuesday to take advantage of a recommendation by the United Nations’ Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to add two areas, covering 177,000 sq km, to its EEZ.

A further two areas, covering 131,000 sq km, will be added to the EEZ after discussions with the United States, with Washington unlikely to object.

Even though the UN commission turned down Japan’s request to incorporate a further two areas and postponed a ruling on a third – in large part due to objections raised by China and North Korea – preliminary research in the Pacific suggests that the region holds a treasure trove of resources, including vast amounts of rare earth minerals, oil and gas.

The Japanese government is particularly excited about vast deposits of methane hydrates. A solid compound containing high levels of methane trapped in a crystal structure of water, methane hydrate is being touted as a key energy source of the future.

“Japan needs to make every effort to produce its own energy locally,” said Hisashi Hoshi, director of the New and Renewable Energy Department at The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan.

“We presently have to import huge amounts of very expensive energy, and there are major implications for our energy dependency on others,” he added.