Japan backs code of conduct in sea dispute

NONTHABURI, Thailand — Japan has expressed support for the crafting of a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea during the bilateral meeting here on Monday between President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary Masato Ohtaka said Japan supported the resolution of issues in the South China Sea under a legal framework.

“I think the International Court of Justice and the judicial solution is one thing that we strongly support,” Ohtaka said in a press briefing after the bilateral talks. “This is why we also support the arbitral ruling that came [out] a few years ago.”

He added that Japan would help in capacity-building efforts within the region.

The President’s meeting with Abe was the only bilateral talk he had during the three-day Asean summit, which wrapped up on Monday.

Panelo said both leaders also discussed matters of regional and international concern, including the maritime dispute in the South China Sea as well as the situation in the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea recently launched a ballistic missile.