[Brief translation]
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has begun consideration of locating facilities for an ocean thermal energy conversion system, which generates electricity by exploiting the temperature differential in seawater, around the country’s southernmost island Okinotorishima Island with the intent of opposing China’s stance of calling the island a mere rock. The government will promote economic activities and electricity supply within the island, hoping to make Japan’s claim to the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone stronger. Potential construction areas for the facilities will be narrow down before the end of the year.