Latest news with #JapanAgencyforMarine-EarthScienceandTechnology
Japan Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Japan to launch offshore 'blue carbon' study for CO2 capture, storage
The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp, and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023. © KYODO
Kyodo News
20-05-2025
- Science
- Kyodo News
Japan to launch offshore "blue carbon" study for CO2 capture, storage
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 11:21 | All, Japan The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp., and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023. Related coverage: Japan aims for all new vehicles to use biofuel by early 2030s Japan to mull setting target of 60-66% emissions cut by FY 2035 Japan firms' plans for CO2 export, storage in Southeast Asia on rise
The Mainichi
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Mainichi
Japan to launch offshore 'blue carbon' study for CO2 capture, storage
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp., and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023.
Kyodo News
20-05-2025
- Science
- Kyodo News
Japan to launch offshore "blue carbon" study for CO2 capture, storage
KYODO NEWS - 8 minutes ago - 11:21 | All, Japan The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp., and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023. Related coverage: Japan aims for all new vehicles to use biofuel by early 2030s Japan to mull setting target of 60-66% emissions cut by FY 2035 Japan firms' plans for CO2 export, storage in Southeast Asia on rise
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Unveils Urashima 8000 Underwater Drone Capable of Diving 8,000 Meters Under the Sea
The Yomiuri Shimbun The Urashima 8000 is shown to the press in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Monday. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology on Monday showed the press its newest autonomous underwater vehicle, the Urashima 8000, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. The submarine is about 10 meters long and capable of diving to 8,000 meters under the sea, a depth that is more than double what the previous model was capable of. After underwater cruise tests, the sub will begin full-fledged operations from next fiscal year. The vehicle can survey over 98% of Japan's exclusive economic zone. It is also expected to be used for exploring offshore natural resources. The previous model in the Urashima series can dive up to 3,500 meters under the sea and survey 45% of Japan's EEZ. Work began on a new model in 2022. The vehicle's pressure-resistant container, which is inside the hull and contains important devices, was changed from aluminum to titanium so that it can endure higher pressures. According to the agency, the Urashima 8000 boasts the deepest diving depth of any cruising AUV, or autonomous underwater vehicles that are able to navigate wide swathes of the sea. The new model also consumes less electricity and can operate underwater for about 40 hours straight. That is a more than 50% increase in time from the previous model. In its ocean floor surveys using sonar, the Urashima 8000 can scan about 100 square kilometers of seabed per dive. The agency is scheduled to conduct the underwater cruise tests over the Japan Trench off the Boso Peninsula in July and August. 'We will be able to search for seafloor deposits and check for deformation of the sea floor caused by earthquakes more efficiently,' said Takeshi Nakatani, acting group leader of the agency's Engineering Department.
