Japan moves to expand offshore wind beyond territorial waters

Japan’s cabinet has approved a bill amendment to allow offshore wind projects to be built in its exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

The amendment would allow offshore wind projects to be built beyond Japan’s territorial waters – which typically only extends for 22km beyond the coastline. The EEZ expands for 370km miles from the coast. 

It would see the government designate specific zones within the EEZs for offshore wind and allow developers to obtain provisional rights to these zones. Developers would then receive official permits to build projects following successful consultations.

The amendment will also see government authorised to conduct environmental surveys in these areas.

The change will be considered in parliament in June. If approved, it will take effect by 1 April 2026.

Japan’s offshore wind development to date has been limited to its territorial waters. It has 300MW of operational capacity, according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly.

According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the bill is important for expanding offshore wind in the country, where “floating wind holds the key”.

“With limited shallow waters, Japan’s offshore wind ambitions rely on scaling up floating wind in deeper waters to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” GWEC said in a LinkedIn post.