Recently, countries in Europe and Asia, as if in competition, have been launching initiatives on seabed mineral resource development. Those countries whose continental shelf does not contain seabed resources are now turning eyes towards the high seas and the continental shelves of Pacific island States. Japan, however, being blessed with rich deposits of seabed mineral resources, has begun its Zipangu in the Ocean Program to carry out resource surveys, as one of the country's Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Programs (SIP).
Selected Papers No.19