Japan has compromised with Taiwan on a fisheries agreement covering waters near the Senkaku Islands despite lingering concerns from the fisheries industry in Okinawa Prefecture.
As China has continued provocations near the islands, the agreement with Taiwan could be seen as part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s hard-line diplomatic strategy toward Beijing.
On Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters, “It [the agreement] has historical meaning and could lead to stability in the region.”
Although a fisheries agreement between Japan and China was enacted in 2000, 16 rounds of Japan-Taiwan fisheries talks have broken down since 1996. A senior Foreign Ministry official described the situation as operating “under disorderly conditions.”
The demands of Taiwan fishermen were difficult obstacles for Japan to clear as they regard the waters around the Senkaku Islands as their traditionally held fishing spots.
As a result, the Japanese delegation had been unable to accept their demands.
In response to the government’s nationalisation of the Senkaku Islands in September, a fleet of Taiwan fishing boats accompanied by the country’s maritime patrol vessels intruded into Japanese territorial waters.
At the time, China and Taiwan had shown indications they were working together against Japan.
The situation further worsened due to fears that Taiwan, despite its good relationship with Japan, might be driven toward China.
In December, Abe instructed related ministries and agencies to speed up efforts to reach an agreement with Taiwan.
2013. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd