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JCP in Diet calls for diplomatic resolution of Takeshima and Senkaku Islands issues by rules applicable to both situations

At the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on April 21, Japanese Communist Party representative Kasai Akira urged the government to take the initiative in finding a diplomatic solution and to take positive steps in the dispute concerning the Japanese plan to conduct a maritime survey off Takeshima Island by explaining the JCP view which JCP Chair Shii Kazuo published the previous day (See separate item).

Referring to territorial disputes that Japan has in Asia, one with South Korea over Takeshima and the other with China over the Senkaku Islands, Kasai stated, "Of the three countries, Japan, China, and South Korea, Japan is the only country that has effective control of one island while disputing the other party's effective control of another. As Japan has experienced these two different situations, it can approach this question from an impartial position."

Shii said, "I believe it important for Japan as a country with such a background to abide by rules applicable to both situations in order to resolve the situation diplomatically."

Sadoshima Shiro, a Foreign Ministry counsellor, answered, "We will make efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement by suggesting measures for prior mutual notification of a survey of the seas in which claims of Japan and South Korea to exclusive economic zone (EEZ) overlaps."
- Akahata, April 22, 2006
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