A city on the Pacific coast in eastern Japan and other entities hope to save a plan for offshore wind power generation, after one of the main project operators said it will undertake a complete review of the plan.

The project operators had initially planned to build and start operation of the offshore facility off Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, in 2028. They include major trading house Mitsubishi Corporation, its affiliate and Chubu Electric Power Company's group company.

But earlier this month, Mitsubishi said it will review the viability of the plan, citing surging costs.

The city, fisheries cooperative and chamber of commerce invested in a joint venture company four years ago to develop offshore wind power generation into the city's major new industry, second only to the fisheries sector.

This company will be responsible for maintenance work of the wind turbines, as well as development of human resources. It was also planning to hire new employees in the fiscal year starting in April.

An executive of the company, Sakaki Kenji, said he could understand a delay in the project, but he cannot accept that the project outlook is now uncertain.

A port is already under construction near the area by the sea where the offshore facility is planned. Ships for the maintenance work and staff members are to be based there.

City officials said Chiba Prefecture and Choshi City are expected to shoulder a total of nearly 5 billion yen, or about 33 million dollars. They plan to request the central government and other related parties to continue the project in some way or other.

Last week, Choshi Mayor Koshikawa Shinichi said at a news conference that the city will not be able to recover the cost to build the port if offshore wind power generation does not get underway. He said the financial impact on the city is huge, and he will ask the central government to come up with a plan to continue with the project.