## (2) Initiatives to Delineate the Limits of the Continental Shelf

In April 20, 2012, the UN “Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf” adopted the counsel submitted by our country in November 2008 to the commission on information regarding 200 nautical miles of continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since the recommendation granted an extension to Japan’s continental shelf accounting for approximately 80% of her land area, the Shikoku basin sea area and the Okidaito ridge sea area were newly designated Japan’s continental shelf by a cabinet order in October 2014. In the meantime, since the review of some water areas has been postponed, the Japan Coast Guard will continue working towards the demarcation of a continental shelf by partnering with the ministries and agencies concerned under coordinated supervision of the Secretariat of the Cabinet Secretariat Headquarters for Ocean Policy.

(3) Conservation of Okinotorishima Island, Preservation of the Low-Tide Line and Developing the Base of Activities

### a. Conservation of Okinotorishima Island

Okinotorishima island is Japan’s southernmost territory and is a very important island that forms the foundation of the 400,000 km $ ^{2} $ area exclusive economic zone which exceeds the area of national land, so the observation and gathering of basic data, checkups of damages, and repairs are carried out. In addition to the two islands, the state is taking direct control to ensure adequate measures to preserve the entire atoll.

### b. Preservation of Low-Tide Lines

In accordance with the “Law on the Development of Base Facilities and Preservation of the Low-Tide Line for the Promotion of Use and Conservation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Low-Tide Preservation Act)”, 185 domestic locations are designated by

## Preservation of Low-Tide Lines

• In the waters surrounding the low-tide line that forms the basis for demarcating the limits of the exclusive economic zone and others, areas requiring conservation are specified as the low-water line preservation areas (185 areas) where activities are restricted.

•Satellite images, disaster prevention helicopters, and ships are used to monitor and research the conditions of the low-tide line and any artificial damages or natural erosion.

## Developing the Base of Activity for Remote Islands

• In order to ensure that the development and usage of maritime resources and maritime research activities are implemented safely and steadily in waters located far away from the mainland, the MLIT implements the development and management of port facilities (designated remote island port facilities: the development details are stated in the basic plan).

(Minamitorishima island) Project started FY2010

(Okinotorishima island) Project started FY2011

government decree as the low-tide lines preservation areas to implement restrictions on activity in the area. Also, sight patrols by disaster prevention helicopters and ships as well as satellite images are used to survey low-tide lines and its surrounding conditions and by confirming the existence of restricted activities in the area or topographical changes due to natural erosion, strive to protect the low-tide line which forms the basis of the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf as well as appropriate management of related information for the implementation of sure and efficient preservation of low-tide lines.

### c. Developing Bases of Activity in Remote Islands (Okinotorishima island and Minamitorishima island)

In accordance with the “Low-Tide Preservation Act”, etc., Minamitorishima island and Okinotorishima island which are areas remote from the mainland, port facilities are being developed as a base of activities for the conservation and usage of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf to enable the mooring and berthing of vessels, cargo handling, etc.