## 2 Protecting Our Country’s Interests in Maritime Rights and Interests

(1) Promoting Maritime Surveys in Territorial Waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone and Consolidating Maritime Information

In our country’s territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone there are waters lacking adequate survey data and the Japan Coast Guard is conducting intensive maritime surveys in these waters including submarine topography, crustal structure, and the baselines of territorial waters to strategically and continuously implement the development of basic information that will contribute to the safety of ship traffic, protecting our country’s maritime rights and interests, and maritime development.

As the result of conducting submarine topography surveys by the Japan Coast Guard’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Gondou, in May to June 2015, records that indicate discharging of hot water/gas from the seabed was confirmed at Shirahama Sone, approximately 10 km in the northwest of Takarajima Island of the Tokara Islands, Kagoshima. It is characterized by very shallow water depth of approximately 80 m to 100 m compared to those that have been found so far in the East China Sea.

In addition, in July and November, a submarine volcanic landform, such as the trace of lava flow eruption, was confirmed at the Daisan-Miyako knoll, approximately 120 km in the north of Miyako Island, Okinawa. These findings and results are expected to be utilized as base information for the interpretation of volcanic activities going forward.

Also, under the comprehensive coordination of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, the Maritime Information Clearinghouse, which aggregates the gathering, management, and provision of maritime information, is being operated. Additionally, the Marine Cadastre was developed which is a web service that can overlay information on maps and allows general users to utilize various natural information (submarine topography, ocean currents, water temperature) and social information (port areas, fishing rights areas, etc.).

## (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 recommendations on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in regard to the submission made by Japan in November 2008 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 as 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 delimitation 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

## (i) 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.

## (ii) 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 government decree as the low-tide lines preservation areas to implement restrictions on excavation in the area. Furthermore, surveys are conducted on low-tide lines and its surrounding conditions, using patrols by disaster prevention helicopters and ships as well as satellite images, in order to check whether any restricted activities took place or any topographical changes were caused by natural erosion. Also, information related to the low tide lines is appropriately managed so that preservation activity will be carried out in a steady and efficient manner.