Japan steps into Spratlys dispute

Japan has held discussions with Philippine diplomats on resolving territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), wading into a contentious debate involving China.

Philippine and Japanese diplomats recently discussed in Tokyo the need to ensure that the disputes are resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.

The Philippines proposed that the two countries set up a “permanent working group” that would regularly tackle the disputes and other Asian maritime concerns, a Philippine official said on Tuesday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Japan is not a party to the conflicting claims in the vast West Philippine Sea and its entry into the debate is likely to anger Beijing. China claims the entire potentially oil-rich region, which is also claimed in part by five other countries or territories.

The Philippines refers to the body of water as the West Philippine Sea. China calls it the South China Sea.

China has called for bilateral negotiations on the disputes, a strategy that would effectively shut out other countries like the United States or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to which the Philippines and three other claimants belong.

Washington, which says a peaceful resolution of the disputes is in its interest, has offered to help the claimants settle the row, but Beijing has fiercely resisted.

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe on Tuesday said  that Japan has an interest in ensuring that the vast ocean remains safe and open to commerce. Japanese officials will “exchange notes” with their Philippine counterparts and assess how they can help ensure that the disputes are resolved peacefully, he said.

“These kinds of issues are dealt basically between the parties concerned,” Urabe said at a news conference. However, he added that “since there is this legitimate interest about the safety of the sea, we also have an interest in how things are developing.”

About 88 percent of the oil that powers Japan’s industries passes through the West Philippine Sea from the Middle East, the Japanese Embassy says.

“We want a peaceful solution under the international framework,” Urabe said. “It is very clear that a lot of traffic goes through that area.”

Japan and the Philippines have separate territorial disputes with China. Urabe said any discussion between the two countries about the West Philippine Sea does not mean they are ganging up on Beijing, which is “a very important partner for both of us.”

“We are not having an alliance against China,” Urabe said. “The objective is to create a win-win relationship among us.”

President Aquino  is to visit Japan next week but it remains unclear whether he will raise the territorial spats in his talks with Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, aides say.  AP

Originally posted: 6:45 pm | Tuesday, September 20th, 2011