Japan-Taiwan Fishery Deal

It can be said as a diplomatic progress. Japan and Taiwan reached an agreement on mutual recognition on fishery around Senkaku Islands, to which Taiwan had been disputing its sovereignty, while Japan denied the existence of territorial dispute. The agreement allows fishing boats of both nations to take fish in the area where both governments appeal their exclusive right for fishing. On the other hand, the territorial issue around Senkakus was put aside. Both governments seem to have taken one step forward to escape from crucial moment over the Senkaku issue.

Japan and Taiwan has been negotiating on this issue since 1996, with no actual conclusion. The main reason of deadlock has been both insistences over the territory around Senkaku Islands. Both have been including that sea area in exclusive economic zone.

The deal was to share that zone by both. The fishing boats in that overlapped area is excluded from law application and enforcement of counterpart governments. Mutual fishery committee by both governments will be established for joint overseeing of fishery there. Territorial sea area around Senkakus was not included in the subject of the agreement, avoiding further confusion over the territorial issue. It is fair to say that the deal was an achievement of former DPJ administration, which showed positive attitude in negotiation after its “nationalization” of Senkakus last fall.

For Japan, it became positive achievement on the Senkaku issue. If the relationship with Taiwan is improved by the agreement, Japan can have a perspective of avoiding cooperated action by Taiwan and China on the issue. Relationship between Japan and China still is in a deteriorated level both politically and economically. “Protecting interests of both side of the sea, meaning China and Taiwan, is a responsibility of both sides,” told a Chinese official with frustration on the agreement.

However, giving Taiwanese fishermen opportunities for fishery in the area where Japan appeals its own EEZ has its risks. In terms of protecting territorial economic interest, the agreement is a great compromise to Taiwan. If Japan insists on its right for the territory, it is reasonable that Japan at least charge a fishing fee against Taiwanese boats, as well as Russia has been doing against Japanese ships around the Northern Territory. As a matter of fact, fishermen in Okinawa area was frustrated with the decision the Japanese government had made.

Still, the significance of the deal for Japan was that it was successful to let Taiwan take different standpoint from China does, because it leads to a contradiction of One-China policy Chinese government has been keeping. But, it is obvious that the agreement can solve all problems on Senkakus.