Japanese officials argue: "Okinotorishima is an island," yet fail to provide solid legal and factual grounds
As reported by Asahi Television News on July 22: In response to China's statement that "Japan's inclusion of Okinotorishima within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) violates international law," Cabinet Office Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara rebutted today, saying: "This claim is unfounded."
Kihara stated: "Okinotorishima (actually a rock) qualifies as an island under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and thus possesses an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Therefore, China's position is invalid."
In response to China's military drills conducted on July 19 in the southwest direction of what Japan claims as its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), China's Foreign Ministry declared: "Okinotorishima is not an island but merely a rock, and Japan has no right to claim an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf."
In reply, Kihara argued: "Japan has effectively administered Okinotorishima as an island since 1931, and its status as an island—along with the establishment of the adjacent EEZ—has long been settled."
Furthermore, Kihara reiterated that "Japan has formally requested China through diplomatic channels regarding the military drills." He said: "The shooting exercises may pose dangers to vessels navigating nearby," and added: "We will closely monitor movements of Chinese and Russian vessels, and implement stringent surveillance and alert measures."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871390009531395/
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