Press Conference by the Prime Minister regarding U.S. President Biden’s Visit to Japan and Other Matters

 
 
(On U.S. President Biden’s visit to Japan)
 
President Biden is scheduled to arrive in Japan tomorrow and we will hold a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting on May 23. I hope that the face-to-face meeting will be an opportunity for us to have frank exchange of views on important common issues such as security and regional affairs including the situation in Ukraine, as well as the economy, climate change, nuclear disarmament and other global issues. It is also important for the leaders of Japan and the U.S. to deepen trust throught the meeting, while also confirming the further strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance, as well as close cooperation in efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
 
(On the confirmation of a new structure on the west side of the Japan-China median line in the East China Sea)
 
I have been informed of a new structure being built by China on the west side of the geographical median line between Japan and China in the East China Sea. We consider it extremely regrettable and unacceptable that the Chinese side is advancing unilateral development in the East China Sea, where the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf have not yet been delimited. Based on this position, Japan has lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels. I would like to remind you of the June 2008 Agreement in which Japan and China agreed to cooperate on the development of natural resources in the East China Sea. We have once again strongly urged the Chinese side to promptly agree to the resumption of negotiations on the implementation of this agreement.