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The Kuroshio Current is the world's second-largestocean current, after theAntarctic Circumpolar Current. It begins in the westernPacific Oceanoff the east coast ofTaiwanand flows northeastward pastJapan, where it merges with the easterly drift of theNorth Pacific Current. It is analogous to theGulf Streamin theAtlantic Ocean, transporting warm, tropical water northward towards thepolar region. It's also sometimes known as theBlack Stream—the English translation ofkuroshio, and an allusion to the deep blue of its water—and also as theJapan Current.Its counterparts are theNorth Pacific Currentto the north, theCalifornia Currentto the east, and theNorth Equatorial Currentto the south.There is a high concentration of uranium passing through the current every year (about 5.2 million tons)[1].The warm waters of the Kuroshio Current sustain thecoral reefsof Japan, the northernmost coral reefs in the world. The branch into theSea of Japanis calledTsushima Current.It boosts the fishing industry in Japan.[citation needed]

This reference appears on page 195. Robinson uses this reference to further pinpoint the location of the ships and make clear that the crew has become trapped in this current.