Is this true or false? I am confused. Tests have been conducted to mine uranium from seawater.

My book says that at one time or another Japan, Germany, and the United States have expressed interest in the extraction of uranium. Japan set up a land-based test plant in 1986 to produce 10kg (26 lb) of uranium from seawater each year, but the operation has proved to be too expensive. So is the answer false?

I don't know that Japan set up a land based plant. To my knowledge, the Japanese have researched with sea based suspended absorbants to recover Uranium.

To confirm if the statement is true or false, we can follow a few steps to gather more information:

1. Research online: Look for reliable sources that discuss the topic of uranium extraction from seawater. Reputable scientific journals or articles from organizations involved in nuclear research would be good sources to consult.

2. Search for information on Japan's involvement: Look for specific details about Japan's initiatives to mine uranium from seawater, such as the establishment of a land-based test plant in 1986.

3. Cross-reference information: Compare the information found in your book with the findings from online sources to check for consistency.

It is important to note that as an AI, I don't have real-time access to current information, so I cannot provide you with the most up-to-date details on this specific topic.

However, based on historical information, it is true that Japan, as well as other countries like Germany and the United States, have expressed interest in extracting uranium from seawater. Japan did conduct research on uranium extraction from seawater but through sea-based suspended absorbents rather than a land-based test plant.

To get the most accurate and updated information, I recommend conducting further research using trustworthy sources or consulting with experts in the field of nuclear energy or uranium extraction.