Japan calls for West Philippine Sea code of conduct

MANILA, Philippines—Japan called for a stronger code of conduct to bind rival claimants to waters and islands in the strategically important West Philippine Sea, its envoy to the Philippines said Tuesday.

Japanese ambassador Toshinao Urabe said his government expects to tackle the issue when Philippine President Benigno Aquino makes an official visit to Tokyo next week.

Japan is not among the claimants, but as one of the world’s largest economies it has a major stake in keeping the West Philippine Sea, also known as South China Sea, open to global navigation because much of its trade passes through the area, he said.

“If you look at the map, it is very clear there is a lot of traffic in that area (going) to Japan.”

The ambassador said Japan had been concerned earlier this year when the Philippines, along with Vietnam, accused China of increased aggressiveness in pressing its claims to the reputedly resources-rich sea.

This included Chinese troops firing warning shots against Filipino fishermen, laying buoys and markers in its territory and harassing a Philippine-sanctioned oil exploration vessel.

The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, have conflicting claims to all or parts of the sea.

“In all these meetings (with Asian governments) we have been saying we want a peaceful solution under international law and that’s what we are doing and the code of conduct would be (included),” Urabe said.

“We stick to our strategy: follow the rule of law under the international system.”

Aquino, in a recent trip to China, committed to “peaceful dialogue” to settle the dispute.

But he also told Japanese reporters last week that he would raise the West Philippine Sea issue in his visit to Japan, stressing Japan’s “common interest” in ensuring freedom of navigation.