Taipei: 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 revised boundary aims to address potential conflicts and ensure smoother fishing operations between the two nations.

According to Focus Taiwan, the two sides agreed to further revise the industry's self-regulation code and conduct outreach to operators ahead of the fishing season. This initiative is designed to prevent the gear of Taiwanese fishing vessels from drifting east of 124 degrees two minutes east longitude. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted this change in a press statement, explaining that the newly agreed demarcation line is now closer to Taiwan than the previous boundary, which was set at 124 degrees three minutes east longitude.

The agreement was facilitated by the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, representing Taiwan, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, following a three-day meeting that concluded on Thursday in Yilan County. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts by both nations to manage fishing operations effectively and to prevent disputes in shared waters.

Additionally, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association reiterated its calls for Japan to begin negotiations as soon as possible on operational issues in other overlapping economic maritime areas. The meeting, which first took place in 2013, marked the 12th bilateral meeting of its kind, with Taiwan and Japan alternating as hosts annually.