Press Conferences

Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, Press Secretary and Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Next week, on February 16-17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the 2nd International Symposium on the Law of the Sea, on the theme of “International Law on Maritime Resources,” in Tokyo.

Experts in the field of the law of the sea from Japan and abroad (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and India) will participate in the symposium as the panelists, and discuss sub-themes of “mineral resources on the deep seabed,” resources of the continental shelf,” and “maritime biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdictions.”

Development of maritime resources is very important for Japan as a maritime country. Japan is also in a position to lead development in science and technology related to maritime resources as an advanced country for marine science. Japan aims to drive robust advances in international law related to maritime resources through this symposium and other activities, and to further promote the “rule of law,” on which Japan will put emphasis at the upcoming G7 Summit, in maritime areas.

Mr. Hitoshi Kikawada, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to give opening remarks at the opening ceremony on February 16, the first day of the symposium.