In a statement the Minister said, “[I intend] to discuss China’s efforts to drill for natural gas near Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea when [I] holds talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Tsingtao.”
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, however, makes it very clear what Japan’s stance on the issue is.
According to Hosoda, “Even if China conducts drilling without violating the boundary line over the continental shelf between the two countries, it is possible for it to extract oil resources from within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.”
“The issue needs to be discussed with China,” added Hosoda.
