Japan:

Marubeni Begins Geothermal Survey in Japanese National Park (Bloomberg)

Marubeni Corp. has begun a geothermal survey of Daisetsuzan National Park on the northern island of Hokkaido that will continue through February in the hopes that it will discover more clean-energy sources.

The Tokyo-based trading company will study the geology of the area with more tests to follow once officials find enough evidence of geothermal resources, Marubeni said today in a statement.

Last year, Japan revised rules for geothermal power projects in national parks where more than 80 percent of the country’s resources are to try to increase energy supplies.