Japan tests biggest carbon capture at quake-prone area

Tokyo

JAPAN is preparing to test its biggest project yet for capturing and storing greenhouse gas pollution under the seabed despite concerns about cost and the safety of pursuing the technology in a region prone to earthquakes.

Engineers plan to inject carbon dioxide into deep saline aquifers off the coast of Hokkaido at the northern tip of the nation starting in April. The gas will be siphoned away from a refinery operated by Idemitsu Kosan Co under the government-backed project.