The disputed Okinotori atoll will be on the agenda when Taiwan and Japan discuss maritime cooperation later this month. That was the word from the director-general of Taiwan’s fisheries association, Chen Tien-shou, on Monday.
Japanese authorities seized a Taiwanese fishing boat near Okinotori in April and demanded a security deposit for the crew’s release. Japan says the atoll is an island, and claims a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding it. Taiwan says, though, that the atoll does not meet the criteria for an island under international law, and that the fishing boat was seized in international waters.
Although the dispute will be part of the upcoming maritime talks, Chen said past experience suggests that the two sides probably won’t be able to resolve the issue in one sitting.
The agriculture ministry says it hopes that the talks can help the two sides arrive at a reasonable agreement on fishing rights.