On Sunday July 23, 2017 Cabinet Minister of State for Regional Revitalization Kozo Yamamoto visited Kumejima. In addition to visiting deep seawater related efforts such as the Okinawa Deep Seawater Research Center (ODRC) and OTEC Demonstration Facility, the Minister also visited the Kumejima Interchange Learning Center (Jinbunkan). At the ODRC, Director Shinichiro Kakuma explained the use of deep seawater on Kumejima. Professor Yasuyuki Ikegami, Deputy Director of the Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga highlighted the ongoing research and development of OTEC power generation. The Minister and various attendees were able to learn about the many ongoing initiatives on Kumejima.