Tokyo to study wave motion power generation

The Tokyo metropolitan government has launched a feasibility study on the use of wave motion to generate power.

Research is underway, mostly in the United States and Europe, to develop a system to float a giant buoy on the ocean, and use its bobbing motion to turn a power-generating turbine.

The panel launched on Wednesday includes researchers from universities and private companies.

They will discuss through the end of March how to raise research funds, how such a system would affect the fishing industry, and other issues. The panel will then compile its proposals.

The metropolitan government's goal is for 20 percent of energy consumed in Tokyo to be from natural energy sources such as solar and wind power by 2020.

A senior Tokyo government official in charge of environmental policies, Junichi Uratani, says Japan should make use of the massive energy in the ocean, which surrounds this country.

He says the metropolitan government aims to spearhead efforts to put wave power generation into practical use.