“Geothermal energy laws” that govern the procedures of geothermal resource development and stipulate the rights and duties of geothermal resource developers in major countries were surveyed. The survey was carried out by collecting relevant laws and papers through the Internet. Each county has its own “geothermal energy law”. These laws were compared from the view points such as the objective of the law, the ownership of the resources, the types of licenses, the licenser, the licensee, the setting of licensed area, etc. Geothermal energy laws in other countries may be great reference when Japan considers enhancing its own legal framework to promote geothermal energy development.
