Residents File Appeal Against CCS Trial Drilling in Chiba Prefecture

Following the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's approval of a trial drilling project for a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the offshore area of Chiba's Kujukuri on April 15, 2026, five residents from Kisarazu City and Sosa City, along with FoE Japan, submitted a request for review under the Administrative Appeal Law to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on July 14, 2026, seeking a reconsideration of the trial drilling permit.

Prior to the permit approval, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry had solicited opinions from stakeholders. However, on April 15, the minister simultaneously announced the permit approval and stated that there were only six opinions related to the trial drilling and 17 opinions related to other CCS policies, concluding that there were no public objections. However, as a result of FoE Japan's information disclosure request, it was found that more than 120 opinions had been submitted, and almost all of them expressed concerns or opposition to the trial drilling or the project, with no opinions in favor of or supportive of the trial drilling.

According to the operator's website, a trial drilling rig arrived off Kujukuri on July 6 and has begun operations. The rig is clearly visible from Kujukuri Beach, but no environmental impact assessments related to the trial drilling have been conducted, and no information has been disclosed regarding the operator's environmental and social considerations. If the trial drilling continues as is, it could damage the beautiful natural scenery and landscape of Kujukuri, and have significant impacts on the environment, fisheries, tourism, and local residents' lives.

The newly arrived drilling rig. Photographed around 11:00 AM on July 6 from the beach in front of Sunrise Kujukuri. Provided by a resident

CCS technology involves many uncertainties, such as the risk of CO2 leakage, impact on the marine environment, and impact on the local community. It is also high-cost and has little effect on reducing greenhouse gases, and should not be promoted as a climate change mitigation measure. It may also delay other effective climate change mitigation measures. Although CCS projects involve large-scale construction and risks, the CCS Business Act stipulates that environmental impact assessments are not required, and residents' consent is not sought. The procedures stipulated by the Act are problematic. Including the trial drilling, this project is being carried out with a large amount of public funds from limited finances, and is a matter that concerns all citizens. If the trial drilling is started without sufficient explanation to the public and without transparency in the decision-making process, it will leave a lasting negative impact.

Under these circumstances, promoting the CCS project, including the trial drilling, could have serious adverse effects on the environment, society, and economy.

Kura Sakuma, who filed the appeal, commented, "I have loved the sea of Kujukuri since I was a child. I used to eat Nagarami (a type of sea snail) as a snack. Zenna (small clams) curry rice was really delicious. Fishing for Ishimochi and Seabass on the beach is one of my memories. There were also beach seine nets. The sea has given us so much. However, the sea is changing due to CCS and the trial drilling for it. The sea full of memories is about to disappear. Nature is the Earth's legacy. We must pass it on to the future. If we don't speak up now, we won't be able to face the next generation. Let's let as many people as possible know and take action together for the future."

Tomomi Honda, who also filed the appeal, commented, "The sight of the drilling rig built in the sea is heartbreaking. The trial drilling permit, which allows a giant structure that brightly illuminates the night to be visible from anywhere in Kujukuri Beach, was issued without any impact assessment procedures and in disregard of the residents' common sense."

One of the applicants residing in Sosa City commented, "As someone living in the coastal area near the storage area of Kujukuri, I feel that the CCS project is not something that should be promoted as a measure against climate change, considering the risk of leakage and the adverse effects on the marine environment."

Another applicant residing in Kisarazu City commented, "The landscape of Kujukuri Beach has been significantly damaged by the trial drilling. To begin with, the effectiveness of the project in reducing CO2 has not been sufficiently explained, including the CO2 that will be emitted by laying long pipelines and digging the sea. The sight of the construction being forced ahead with a lack of trust and indignation is unbearable. Furthermore, it can be seen that a large amount of money is being spent on the trial drilling alone, but this is being covered by the taxes we pay. The metropolitan area CCS project is no longer just a problem for some local residents. It is a matter that concerns every taxpayer in the country. Such dishonest behavior cannot be tolerated."

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry should revoke the permit decision and stop the trial drilling operations that are already underway.