A mechanism to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and Japan on maritime affairs is preparing to hold its first meeting.
The head of the non-governmental Association for East Asian Relations, Tsai Ming-yaw, said Thursday that no date has been set. But Tsai said the government expects the meeting will take place soon.
Among the topics the two sides are likely to discuss is the issue of fishing near Japan’s Okinotori atoll. 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 around it. Taiwan maintains that the atoll does not meet the criteria for an island under international law and that the fishing boat was seized in international waters.
Tsai told reporters that discussions about fishing near the atoll may not proceed as smoothly as the government hopes. But he said Taiwan’s representatives will do all they can to find a satisfactory resolution. Tsai also said that discussions about environmental protection may be taken off the agenda because Taiwan’s representatives still need time to prepare.