Topic: 2024-The Situatin in the South China Sea
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Jonah Mechtenberg-Berrigan
Jonah M.B.
Security Council
South China Sea
Despite past ownership of the islands, Japan has surrendered its territorial rights. Instead, as a UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea) member, Japan rejects any country’s claimed ‘territorial’ right to the South China sea. It is specifically referenced in UNCLOS that “artificial islands, installations and structures do not possess the status of islands”. Therefore, attempted claims towards the South China sea not only break United Nations law, but are accompanied by aggression and military conflict no country supports.
Although Japan does not desire any conflict with any countries attempting to claim said waters, they desire a very carefully thought-out solution. This conference sets an important precedent for future territorial conflict, and it is important not to pacify, support, or favor any countries. A simple, fair solution should be the goal of most countries involved in the conflict. Although bribes, removal of tariffs, or resource rights may be discussed as solutions towards stopping conflict, this gives aggressive countries an incentive to seek conflict. This could result in bigger, more complex disagreements in the future. In specific, the East China Sea is also being claimed by China through fake islands, and a good solution in the South China Sea could serve as an experimental solution for this conflict. As a result, Japan would not support any directives, resolutions, or countries that attempt to appease aggressive countries.
Japan is a stakeholder in the South China Sea, despite not being adjacent to it. The SLOC (Sea Lane of Communication) commerce through the Sea has been under siege as a result of conflicts. As a developed, trade-dependent country, Japan is seeking a concrete, strong solution that guarantees the safety of commerce. In specific, Japan would like directives that require UN countries to limit the number of armed vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea to ensure disarmament. An international SCS Watch group should be composed, whether by use of naval and aircraft or satellites, that would identify armed vessels, and fines or military force should be used to enforce this potential directive.
As an important shipping route, the South China Sea should be a peaceful area of international waters. Instead, countries unjustly quarrel over small islands and resources. This conflict’s territorial nature should not be a defining characteristic of it; despite the relatively few countries involved, this decision will set an important precedent towards future territorial disputes. According to the existing international law, any claims laid on the South China Sea are false, and a strong defense will be made against illegal actions.
Works Cited
Midford, Paul. “Japan’s Approach to the South China Sea: Quietly Balancing China from A Distance.” Japan Up Close, 26 September 2024, https://japanupclose.web-japan.org/policy/p20240926_4.html. Accessed 26 November 2024.
“Untitled.” the United Nations, 19 January 2021, https://www.un.org/depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mys_12_12_2019/20210119JpnNvUn001OLA202000373.pdf. Accessed 26 November 2024.
