Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Marine Scientific Research by the Government of the Republic of Korea in the Waters where Claim of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) Overlap between Japan and the ROK and the Territorial Sea around Takeshima Islands

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National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Marine Scientific Research by the Government of the Republic of Korea in the Waters where Claim of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) Overlap between Japan and the ROK and the Territorial Sea around Takeshima Islands

[Place]

[Date] July 3, 2006

[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

[Notes]

[Full text]

1. The Government of Japan has been informed by the Government of the Republic of Korea that the latter intends to conduct a marine scientific research in the waters where claim of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) overlap between the two States and the territorial sea around Takeshima islands. Regarding the marine scientific research, the Government of Japan has been urging the Government of the ROK to establish a provisional framework with Japan for cooperation in the field of marine scientific research, and until such a framework is established, to mutually refrain from conducting marine scientific research in the waters where claim of the EEZ overlap between the two States. In spite of these, it is extremely regrettable that the Government of the ROK refused the Japanese proposals and decided to conduct the research as planned.

2. Marine scientific researches must be conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the abovementioned decision by the Government of the ROK is regrettable even in light of the continuing process of Japan-ROK communications. The conduct of a research without the consent of Japan within the territorial sea around Takeshima islands, which belong to the Japanese territories, is also incompatible with the position of the Government of Japan concerning its sovereignty over Takeshima. The Government of Japan cannot tolerate these acts by the ROK side. The Government of Japan urges the Government of the ROK again to either halt or postpone this research.

3. Japan-ROK relations are an important bilateral relationship that shares basic values and broad benefits. From a wide-ranging perspective, both Japan and the ROK must make efforts to build a future-oriented, friendly and cooperative relationship and expand exchanges in the future. The Government of Japan strongly hopes that the ROK side will calmly and wisely address this situation to avoid the impairment of friendly relations between Japan and the ROK and an escalation of nationalistic sentiments in the two countries.

(END)