Is there no future for a country that does not challenge itself? Even if you break the status quo, can you seriously harness marine resources?

Among the 17 strategic areas promoted by the Kato administration, marine resources such as methane hydrate and rare-earth mud are clearly positioned. Until now, Japan has carefully conducted research in tens of billions of yen, but China and the United States are moving forward rapidly with vastly larger investment scales.Even though there is technology, the funding is thin. Whether we can change this structure may be the turning point right now.

Dissolution of the Kato administration! What election decisions are being made? “There is no future for a country that does not challenge itself” Stagnant interests and Japan’s future

Information on methane hydrate is also introduced in a video by Mr. Aoyama Shigeharu.

In the FY 2026 (Reiwa 8) draft budget request, about 25.2 billion yen for domestic oil, natural gas, and methane hydrate-related matters. About 197.6 billion yen for resource development as a whole. Of course, there are failure risks. There have been past issues such as sand intrusion problems.

However, if we prioritize national interests with the idea of “crisis management investment,” accelerating demonstrations in the several-hundred-billion-yen range becomes a realistic option.We have reached a stage where political decisions and budget commitments are decisive.

Okinotorishima and other submerged resources in the sea are not a matter of whether they exist, but whether we will do it or not.Can we overcome vested interests and precedent? There is no future for a country that does not challenge itself!It may be time to seriously put these words into action.