ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with Japanese policy for development of marine mineral resources, concentrating on policy formulation related to exploitation for manganese nodules. “Marine mineral resources” include manganese nodules, continental shelf oil, coastal iron sands, phosphorite oozes, and unconsolidated polymetallic oozes. The importance of nickel and cobalt is considerable when they and the value of other minerals contained in manganese nodules are expressed in terms of their possible relative contribution to sales proceeds. A number of individuals in important positions related to manganese nodule policy within the Japanese government were asked to comment on the question of where manganese nodules fit into Japan’s overall resource policy. Manganese nodules contain such nonferrous metals as nickel and cobalt. Because of the uncertainty of continued supplies of resources that has resulted from oil shortages and embargoes, nonferrous metals are recognized as being indispensable to industry.
