Legislature President Su Jia-chyuan has left for Japan at the head of a Taiwanese delegation. Su said Monday that the trip will serve to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Japan.
Su is leading a group of 23 lawmakers from different parties on the trip. He said he looks forward to congratulating recently elected members of Japan’s House of Councilors.
The issue of fishing rights off Japan’s Okinotori atoll has become a sticking point in Taiwan-Japan ties. Japan says that the waters around the atoll are part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). But Taiwan argues that the atoll is not an island, and does not entitle Japan to an EEZ in the surrounding waters. Japan’s seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat operating in the area in April brought the dispute to the fore. Plans to set up a bilateral dialogue mechanism on maritime affairs have not yet come to fruition.
Asked whether the issue of fisheries will be up for discussion, Su said his delegation will exchange opinions with their Japanese counterparts, but that negotiations should be left to government ministries.
Su said he that hopes Taiwan and Japan can agree on a set of fishing protocols so that Taiwanese fishermen can fish without conflict in the future.