Launching of the “Arctic Task Force (ATF)”

September 2, 2010
Japanese

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established the “Arctic Task Force (ATF)” in order to make cross-sectoral approach towards the foreign policy on the Arctic including the aspect of international law, and held the first meeting of the ATF on 2 September 2010.
   
   
2. In light of impacts of global warming, there has been emerging and on-going changes in the Arctic ocean including the tendency of reduction of ice-covered areas, which cannot be overseen not only by the Arctic states but also by the non-Arctic states like Japan. Japan is becoming more and more involved in the Arctic issues and therefore has applied for the observer status in the Arctic Council. As a maritime state, Japan is highly interested in the Arctic issues, because the Arctic Ocean is reported to be full of potentialities such as opening of new shipping routes and new development of natural resources.
   
   
3. The Ministry will hold the ATF meetings on an occasional basis, when needed, and fully utilize them for shaping appropriate Arctic policies of Japan.