Chapter 7 Oceanographic Surveys and Provision of Oceanographic Information
I Determination of Sea Area Under Japanese Jurisdiction
1. Oceanographic Surveys to Determine Sea Area Under Japanese Jurisdiction
JCG has been proceeding with collating resources that form the basis for determining territorial seas by gathering and investigating fundamental data, which includes information on the low-water line and is essential for determining territorial sea baselines that act as criteria for the boundary lines of Japanese territorial seas and EEZ. In addition, JCG has been taking steps to publish nautical charts on which straight baselines and territorial sea boundary lines are drawn. Fifty-three nautical charts had been published by the end of FY 1999, and JCG plans to continue this work further.
2. Promotion of Marine Geodesy
Since 1982, JCG has been participating in the Joint International Observation Project of the Geodetic Satellite promoted and coordinated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), by carrying out satellite laser ranging observation at Shimosato Hydrographic Observatory (mainland control point). Since FY 1987, in order to ascertain locations of islands with high accuracy, JCG has been carrying out simultaneous surveys on islands and the mainland control point.
