Mitigating Environmental Risks in Japan and Beyond: Methane Hydrate Regulation and Risk Governance

在2019年4月至2019年10月期间，我已完成余下的 我的部分JSPS研究按照原来的研究计划。我调查和分析了日本的国内能源和海洋法，以确定是否有适当的机制来应对环境风险。此外，我还就如何更新现有的法律的框架，以确保日本遵守国际环境标准，制定了一套具体的政策建议和建议。此外，作为JSPS科学对话项目的一部分，我还在国内外的5次国际会议上发表了研究报告，并在筑波大学驹场初中做了客座演讲。此外，我还发表了3篇研究论文，包括一份全面的政策报告，有印刷版，也有电子版。本报告提供了日本近海甲烷水合物的科学和工程背景，从这些水合物中生产的天然气在日本整体能源政策中的地位，以及日本如何最好地为这些近海水合物资产的天然气生产做好法律准备。最后，在2019年11月28日，我在伦敦的英国国际法和比较法研究所（BIICL）组织了一次圆桌讨论会，介绍了我的研究成果，并就这一主题和前进方向进行了广泛的讨论。

During the period from April 2019 to October 2019 onwards, I have completed the remaining parts of my JSPS research in accordance with the original research plan. I have investigated and analysed the domestic energy and maritime laws of Japan in order to determine whether there are adequate mechanisms in place to address environmental risks. Moreover, I have developed a set of concrete policy suggestions and recommendations as how to update the existing legal frameworks to ensure compliance with international environmental standards in Japan. In addition, I have presented my research at 5 international conferences in Japan and abroad, and gave a guest lecture at the Komaba Junior Highschool, University of Tsukuba, as part of the JSPS Science-Dialogue Program. Furthermore, I have published 3 research papers, including a comprehensive policy report, both in print and in electronic format. This report provides a background to the science and engineering of Japan’s offshore methane hydrates, on the place of the natural gas produced from those hydrates in Japan’s overall energy policies, and how Japan might best legally prepare for the onset of natural gas production from those offshore hydrate assets. Finally, on 28 November 2019, I organised a roundtable discussion at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) in London to present my research findings and allow a broad discussion about this topic and way forward.