Abstract
The possibility of exploiting deep-sea mineral resources has gained global attention in recent years. At the same time, concerns have been raised on the potential impacts of these activities. Japan is conducting both exploitation program at JOGMEC and exploration/research program named Jipangu-in-the-Ocean as a trans-ministerial project. Increasing number of researchers not only from JAMSTEC, AIST, and NIES, but also from several universities, companies, and organizations are involved in the project. There are three main topics of research; that is, basic scientific research on the genesis of mineral deposits, development of technologies for seafloor exploration, and, survey and monitoring of ecosystem. This presentation summarizes the role of geochemists in the long-run project.
