Taiwan, Japan revise fishing operation boundary closer to Taiwan

Taipei, Jan. 30 (CNA) Taiwan and Japan have agreed to adjust self-regulatory measures to prevent fisheries disputes when operating in waters north of the Yaeyama Islands by bringing the border closer to Taiwan.

The two sides agreed to further revise the industry's self-regulation code and conduct outreach to operators ahead of the fishing season to prevent the gear of Taiwanese fishing vessels from drifting east of 124 degrees two minutes east longitude, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement Friday.

The newly agreed demarcation line is closer to Taiwan than the previous boundary, which was set at 124 degrees three minutes east longitude.

The agreement was reached by the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, which represented Taiwan, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association following a three-day meeting held through Thursday in Yilan County.

The Taiwan-Japan Relations Association also reiterated its calls for Japan to begin negotiations as soon as possible on operational issues in other overlapping economic maritime areas.

First held in 2013, the meeting marked the 12th bilateral meeting of its kind, with Taiwan and Japan taking turns to host annually.