Japan supports Philippines’ move for arbitration in South China Sea

11 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 649 Views

The Philippines‘ Department of Foreign Affairs said that the country has Japan’s backing in their initiative to start arbitral proceedings to clarify the maritime zones and delineation in the South China Sea. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario made a courtesy call to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo where he made the commitment to support the Philippines on this call.

The Philippines initiated arbitral proceedings in January of this year pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) due to several maritime spats with China over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. Japan also reiterated their support for developing the Southeast Asian nation’s capability-building inmaritime security. The two leaders discussed the maritime challenges the Philippines is facing and how the two countries share the advocacy of promoting the rule of law when it comes to settling territorial disputes. They also briefly discussed the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, as well as other regional matters like the North Korea nuclear issue which slightly affects the Philippines given that it is also an ally of the United States.

Del Rosario, on a two-day visit to the Japanese capital was invited to speak at the annual Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia. He also met with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan International Cooperation Agency vice president Hiroto Arakawa and Katsuyuki Kawai, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Japan’s House of Representatives to discuss various bilateral issues between the two countries.

source: http://japandailypress.com

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