Public Notice and Inspection Regarding Plans for Offshore Power Generation

1. Background

Under Article 8, Paragraph 3 of the Act, if the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism intend to designate certain areas as promotion zones, they are required to release a prior public notice concerning a proposal for designating the areas and display the proposal for public inspection for two weeks.

ANRE and the Ports and Harbours Bureau determined the sea area offshore Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, on September 13, 2021, and the Sea of Japan offshore Aomori Prefecture (southern side of the prefecture) on July 3, 2020, as promising sea areas regarding which the Government of Japan will start preparations for organizing councils and other efforts. Following this, they organized a council for each area and advanced discussions.

As a result of the discussions, the respective councils announced that there were no objections to designating as promotion zones the sea area offshore Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, on March 29, 2023, and the Sea of Japan offshore Aomori Prefecture (southern side of the prefecture), on July 28, 2023.

Thereafter, it was confirmed that the areas satisfied the criteria for promotion zones under the Act based on the opinions of a third-party committee of experts. Accordingly, ANRE and the Ports and Harbours Bureau will release a public notice concerning the proposals for designating these areas as promotion zones and display the proposals for public inspection for two weeks as follows.

2. Overview

Websites on which the proposal materials will be displayed for the public inspection:

• ANRI website
• MLIT website

Figures in the proposals for the designation of promotion zones

Period of the display for public inspection

From September 1 (Fri.) to September 15 (Fri.), 2023

The paper versions of the proposals will be displayed for public inspection at the locations and during the times shown below.

Locations where the paper versions will be displayed for public inspection and times of the display

• New and Renewable Energy Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, ANRE, METI
• Ocean and Environmental Policy Division, Ports and Harbours Bureau, MLIT

From 10:00 to 18:15 on weekdays during the period of the display for public inspection

Sea area offshore Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture:

• Energy Policy Promotion Division, Environment and Energy Department, Yamagata Prefectural Government
• Collaboration Support Office, General Affairs Division, General Affairs and Planning Department, Shonai General Branch Office, Yamagata Prefectural Government
• Community Life Division, Yuza Town Government

From 8:30 to 17:15 on weekdays during the period of the display for public inspection

The Sea of Japan offshore Aomori Prefecture (southern side of the prefecture):

• Energy Development and Promotion Division, Energy Comprehensive Measures Bureau, Aomori Prefectural Government

From 8:30 to 17:15 on weekdays during the period of the display for public inspection

• Regional Development Division, General Affairs Department, Tsugaru City Government

From 8:30 to 17:00 on weekdays during the period of the display for public inspection

• Policy Promotion Division, Ajigasawa Town Government
• Comprehensive Strategy Division, Fukaura Town Government
• Ohdose Branch, Fukaura Town Government
• Iwasaki Branch, Fukaura Town Government

From 8:15 to 17:00 on weekdays during the period of the display for public inspection

Reference

• Report on the Opinions of the Council on the Sea Area Offshore Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture
• Report on the Opinions of the Council on the Sea of Japan Offshore Aomori Prefecture (Southern Side of the Prefecture)

Division in Charge

Wind Energy Policy Office, New and Renewable Energy Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, ANRE