Main research and development themes

Theme 1 Development of Production Technology for Rea Earth Element (REE)

In the EEZ around Minamitorishima, Japan, there are rare earth element resources (rare earth sediments), expected to be an industrialization. The effective use of those resources frees Japan from dependency on the particular countries for the supply of rare earth elements. To achieve this goal, we continue close investigations of the distribution and the reservation of rare earth sediments. We plan to conduct demonstration experiments of mining rare earth sediments existed under 6,000 meters water by using the deep-sea scientific drilling vessel “Chikyu”. Conducting series of mining, lifting and smelting activities help devise technologies and obtain data necessary to consider the development of deep-sea rare earth elements. These efforts promote the development of a seamless, cost-effective supply system to be commercialized and speed up the practical application of domestic rare earth elements production. We offer opportunities of technology transfer to the private companies in Japan that have had few opportunities for deep-sea survey and help invigorate domestic marine industries.

Theme 2 System Development of Marine Environment Impact Assessment

In order to develop the system, activities will include method improvement of environmental impact assessment using the best available technology, construction of a data utilization scheme, industrialization model and international deployment. In the area of improving environmental impact assessment methods, in addition to biodiversity surveys, environmental measurements, and marine environmental monitoring, we will develop monitoring technology that links the "Edokko Mark-1," which is capable of long-term observation, with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which can survey a wide area. In the development of a data utilization scheme, we are achieving the methods using artificial intelligence (AI) and digitizing marine environment models. We make an industrialization model based on prototype marine environmental management combined with data utilization in the private sector, marine environmental management, and study its usefulness. For international deployment, we will publish the results and technologies through journals, seminars or side events at international conferences. The Pacific-island countries are an important area for technical cooperation in research and observation in this project. Through these efforts, we aim to promote the advancement of the marine industry and contribute to addressing a wide variety of marine environmental issues.

Theme 3 Development of marine robotics survey technologies

In order to explore submarine resources and achieve the “30 by 30” goal under the COP15 biodiversity agreement, it is required to deploy an effective, wide-area marine monitoring system using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). To operate AUVs efficiently for monitoring a wide area, it is necessary to control groups of AUVs in a cooperative manner, and link systems such as “Edokko Mark-I”, the seabed observation platform, and the deep-sea terminal system through the Internet of Things (IoT).

To achieve this goal, research and development teams put their focus on two main technologies useful for wide-area marine environment monitoring, i.e.,1) Cooperative group control of autonomous underwater robots. And 2) A deep-sea terminal with which navigational AUVs are docked. Both technologies are scheduled to be developed by 2027 through tests and improvements by stages toward practical applications. Through the linkage of observation systems via the IoT and improvement of various equipment, we are developing a system that collects a large amount of underwater observation data rapidly. Further, we will verify the entire system on site including design and production of small-sized reasonable AUVs that will arouse new needs of society. Through these technological developments, we aim to conserve the marine environment and cultivate marine businesses through collaboration with universities and private companies.

Theme 4 Basic research on large-scale carbon dioxide storage and fixation technologies using oceanic basalts

This theme focuses on basic research on carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies using oceanic basalts to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan by 2050 and to further facilitate the widespread use of CCS. Specifically, we are conducting a geological survey of the Takuyo-Daigo Seamount located in the Japanese EEZ around Minamitorishima to clarify the internal structure of the seamount comprised of basalts. We will also conduct lab experiments to verify hydrogeological, geophysical, and geochemical changes due to CO2 injection into the oceanic crust, study the optimal CO2 injection and fixation technologies, and simulate ocean basalt CCS. As a final goal, we aim to develop a conceptual design of ocean basalt CCS considering offshore CO2 transport and CO2 injection systems.