VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKO #2836 2840813
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100813Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7873
UNCLAS TOKYO 002836
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/J,
DEPT FOR OES/OA MAGGIE HAYES AND BRIAN VAN PAY,
DEPT FOR L/OES SUE BINIAZ
DEPT PASS TO NOAA FOR MEREDITH WESTINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PHSA SENV TPHY KSCA JA
SUBJECT: DIPLOMATIC NOTE REGARDING JAPAN'S CONTINENTAL
SHELF SUBMISSION PURSUANT TO UNCLOS
1. Following is the text of Diplomatic Note 3938/E-O from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated October 9. The note
was submitted following up on the July discussions between
the U.S. and Japan regarding the extended continental shelf.
The note was delivered to the Embassy in English. Embassy is
pouching the original to EAP/J.
2. Begin text:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs No.
3938/E-O
October 9, 2008
NOTE VERBALE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to
the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor
to refer to the recent discussions concerning continental
shelf, and wishes to confirm that the Government of Japan
recognizes the following:
1. There are two areas of potential overlap between Japan's
continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and the United
States of America's continental shelf beyond 200 nautical
miles.
2. The Government of Japan plans to make a submission of
information to the Commission on the Limits of the
Continental Shelf (the Commission), pursuant to Article 76
and Annex II of the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea. In that submission, the Government of Japan intends
to include information related to potential continental shelf
that extends beyond 200 nautical miles from Haha Shima
Islands and from Minami-Tori Shima Island, hereinafter "Area
A," and from Minami-Io To Island, hereinafter "Area B."
3. For its part, the Government of the United States of
America confirms that it will not object to the Government of
Japan's submission of information related to potential
continental shelf that extends beyond 200 nautical miles in
Area A and in Area B.
4. For its part, the Government of Japan intends to consult
with the Government of the United States of America promptly
in the event that the Commission makes recommendations to the
Government of Japan related to its submission in connection
with Areas A and B. The Government of Japan confirms that
the establishment of the outer limits of its continental
shelf in Areas A and B is without prejudice to the question
of the delimitation of the continental shelf beyond 200
nautical miles between Japan and the United States of America.
5. The Government of Japan also intends to provide to the
Government of the United States of America the Commission's
recommendations related to Areas A and B, and the portions of
Japan's submission related to Areas A and B, in advance of or
during consultations referred to in paragraph 4.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would appreciate a Note
Verbale in response confirming that the Government of the
United States of America recognizes the foregoing.
End text.
SCHIEFFER