Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the 7th meeting of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy at the Diet building.

Discussion took place on the policy of future responses concerning scientific surveys and exploration of mineral resources within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and other areas.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "As you are all aware, Japan as a nation surrounded entirely by the sea controls the sixth largest marine territory. The latest revision of the Mining Act holds much importance for Japan to appropriately exercise its sovereign rights within it. I would like the ministries and agencies to cooperate with one another to seek various possibilities in this vast marine territory and utilize them going forward."