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Updated · Nikkei Asia · Jun 3Japan, Philippines Launch EEZ Boundary Talks East of Taiwan
2 articles · Updated · Nikkei Asia · Jun 3Summary
- Marcos Jr. and Takaichi agreed on May 28 to start negotiations on the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone boundary east of Taiwan.
- Tokyo and Manila cast the talks as a rule-of-law effort to settle maritime disagreements under international law rather than through coercion.
- The move is also meant to signal how regional disputes should be handled, but it has already drawn opposition from neighboring countries.
- Set near the waters east of Taiwan, the talks add a new maritime coordination track between Japan and the Philippines amid wider regional tensions.
Insights
With China also claiming the waters, will this new maritime pact between Japan and the Philippines prevent conflict or provoke it? Can a new military alliance erase the brutal history between former occupier Japan and the Philippines?