Statement by Mr. KAWASE Taro, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, 38th and 39th plenary meetings on Oceans and the law of the sea 8 December 2020 (Agenda Item 76 (a) and (b))
2020/12/8
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Natalie Morris Sharma of Singapore and Mr. Andreas Kravik of Norway for their excellent coordination. Japan also wishes to express its appreciation for the contributions of our fellow Member States and for the invaluable support of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS).
Japan strongly believes the universality and comprehensiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which regulates freedom of navigation and overflight, freedom on the high seas, the protection and preservation of the marine environment as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes. We are of the firm view that promoting and developing a predictable maritime order based on UNCLOS is both the responsibility of and of benefit to the entire international community.
Therefore, Japan has decided to co-sponsor this important draft resolution, “Oceans and the Law of the Sea”, which confirms our commitment to a rules-based maritime order and covers a wide range of oceanic issues.
However, we have observed developments which go against the rule of law over the oceans of the world.
Taking into consideration the universality and comprehensiveness of UNCLOS, all maritime claims must be based on the relevant provisions of UNCLOS, which is the basis for determining legitimate rights and interests over maritime zones. It is unacceptable to make legal assertions as if there were a general international law to override matters comprehensively covered under UNCLOS.
All maritime disputes should be peacefully resolved based on international law, in particular UNCLOS, not by force or coercion. From the perspective of the rule of law, Japan believes that it is the common understanding of all Member States of the United Nations that the judgements given through legitimate procedures must be complied with. In this regard, we welcome the relevant paragraphs of the Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit this year where serious concerns were expressed on the developments in the South China Sea, including land reclamations, activities and serious incidents, as well as the need to pursue peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.
Mr. President,
On the issues of illegal fishing, we deem that every State should respect the sovereign rights of a coastal State in its exclusive economic zone. Every State should also fulfill its duties and responsibilities under relevant international laws through effectively exercising its jurisdiction and control over ships flying its flag. However, we have been witnessing actions against this rules-based maritime order in recent years all over the world. Related States must cooperate to tackle these situations.
Mr. President,
Concerning COVID-19, one of the hardest challenges that we are facing today, Japan dealt with infections among crew members and passengers on a cruise ship, “the Diamond Princess,” early this year. Among the stakeholders, Japan, as a coastal state, took the initiative to handle this situation to prevent the virus from spreading.
Facing various and unknown challenges including spread without clear symptoms, Japan strongly recognized the necessity of cooperation and close coordination with relevant States and international organizations.
Japan will continue cooperating with other States that share its belief in the importance of the rule of law as a universal value, and persistently make efforts towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In closing, let me reiterate Japan’s wish that the draft resolutions “Oceans and the Law of the Sea” and “Sustainable fisheries”, which are the result of cooperative work by Member States, will be duly adopted by the General Assembly.
I thank you, Mr. President.
At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Natalie Morris Sharma of Singapore and Mr. Andreas Kravik of Norway for their excellent coordination. Japan also wishes to express its appreciation for the contributions of our fellow Member States and for the invaluable support of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS).
Japan strongly believes the universality and comprehensiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which regulates freedom of navigation and overflight, freedom on the high seas, the protection and preservation of the marine environment as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes. We are of the firm view that promoting and developing a predictable maritime order based on UNCLOS is both the responsibility of and of benefit to the entire international community.
Therefore, Japan has decided to co-sponsor this important draft resolution, “Oceans and the Law of the Sea”, which confirms our commitment to a rules-based maritime order and covers a wide range of oceanic issues.
However, we have observed developments which go against the rule of law over the oceans of the world.
Taking into consideration the universality and comprehensiveness of UNCLOS, all maritime claims must be based on the relevant provisions of UNCLOS, which is the basis for determining legitimate rights and interests over maritime zones. It is unacceptable to make legal assertions as if there were a general international law to override matters comprehensively covered under UNCLOS.
All maritime disputes should be peacefully resolved based on international law, in particular UNCLOS, not by force or coercion. From the perspective of the rule of law, Japan believes that it is the common understanding of all Member States of the United Nations that the judgements given through legitimate procedures must be complied with. In this regard, we welcome the relevant paragraphs of the Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit this year where serious concerns were expressed on the developments in the South China Sea, including land reclamations, activities and serious incidents, as well as the need to pursue peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.
Mr. President,
On the issues of illegal fishing, we deem that every State should respect the sovereign rights of a coastal State in its exclusive economic zone. Every State should also fulfill its duties and responsibilities under relevant international laws through effectively exercising its jurisdiction and control over ships flying its flag. However, we have been witnessing actions against this rules-based maritime order in recent years all over the world. Related States must cooperate to tackle these situations.
Mr. President,
Concerning COVID-19, one of the hardest challenges that we are facing today, Japan dealt with infections among crew members and passengers on a cruise ship, “the Diamond Princess,” early this year. Among the stakeholders, Japan, as a coastal state, took the initiative to handle this situation to prevent the virus from spreading.
Facing various and unknown challenges including spread without clear symptoms, Japan strongly recognized the necessity of cooperation and close coordination with relevant States and international organizations.
Japan will continue cooperating with other States that share its belief in the importance of the rule of law as a universal value, and persistently make efforts towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In closing, let me reiterate Japan’s wish that the draft resolutions “Oceans and the Law of the Sea” and “Sustainable fisheries”, which are the result of cooperative work by Member States, will be duly adopted by the General Assembly.
I thank you, Mr. President.