TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Japan are holding the 12th Taiwan–Japan Fisheries Commission meeting in Yilan from Tuesday to Thursday.
The Taiwan–Japan Relations Association and the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association will negotiate issues, including updated fishing vessel operating rules for a triangular area north of the Yaeyama Islands, the foreign ministry said. The meeting aims to protect the fishing rights and interests of fishers from both countries, it added.
The previous meeting was held in Tokyo last year, during which the two nations reached a consensus on fishing vessel operating rules for the area north of the Yaeyama Islands.
The two countries signed the Taiwan–Japan Fisheries Agreement in 2013, which embodies the idea that “sovereignty cannot be divided, but natural resources can be shared,” per the foreign ministry. The agreement stipulates that Japanese government vessels may not interfere with Taiwanese fishing boats within a 74,000-square-kilometer area surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands.
The Taiwan–Japan Fisheries Commission was formed shortly after. Meetings are hosted alternately, and 11 have been held to date.
The foreign ministry said Taiwan will continue to work with Japan on forming fishing regulations based on resource sharing and mutual benefits through the Taiwan–Japan Fisheries Commission. This will help maintain order and safety for fishers operating at sea and promote regional peace and stability.
