Japan Gold Corp. provided a progress report on the Barrick Alliance project activities in the Kitami Metallogenic Province of northeast Hokkaido and the Southern Kyushu Epithermal Gold Province. The initial regional assessment program of the 29 Barrick Alliance Projects includes bulk leach extractable gold (BLEG) and rock float geochemical sampling, and geophysical gravity surveying. Sediment samples are being collected systematically in streams at a predetermined density across all of the project areas. Fine sediments and clay deposited in active stream channels can contain low levels of metals derived from weathering of mineralized outcrops further up-stream. The BLEG analysis allows ultra-low detection of gold, silver, mercury and copper to highlight anomalous stream catchments. A portion of the sediment sample is split off and separately analyzed for gold and a multi-suit of pathfinder elements to confirm the BLEG result and better understand the nature of the source rocks. The BLEG analysis allows ultra-low detection of gold, silver, mercury and copper to highlight anomalous stream catchments. A portion of the sediment sample is split off and separately analyzed for gold and a multi-suit of pathfinder elements to confirm the BLEG result and better understand the nature of the source rocks. Once anomalous catchments are identified, further sediment sampling is carried out upstream along the anomalous drainage to define the point of entry of anomalous metal. the anomalous drainage.