Japan said that its concern regarding developments in the South China Sea is a valid concern after the Chinese Embassy in Manila hit the Japanese ambassador in Manila for defending the Philippines against China's aggression in the waters.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila said that the issue with regard to the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community.
"As a stakeholder that makes use of the South China Sea, the issue is also an important matter of interest for Japan, which depends on sea transport for most of its resources and energy," it said.
Japan said that it will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight as well as the status quo as that's what the international community has been concerned about.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila issued the statement on Friday night, August 30, after the Chinese embassy protested the Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya's supposed "irresponsible remark" when he defended the Philippines against China.
China was not pleased with Endo's move as it said that "whenever incidents occur in the South China Sea, the Japanese ambassador always does not fail to give instant high-profile responses."
It said that Endo's responses were supposedly "in ignorance of the facts and contained unwarranted accusations against China."
"We can’t help but ask, does he not need some time to understand the facts and truth of the incidents, even if he were a 'judge' or 'arbitrator' of some sort?" the embassy asked in a statement.
In its response, Japan also said that it already pointed out that China's assertions regarding baselines in the South China Sea are not based on the relevant provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that it is important to protect the freedom of navigation and overflight.
"UNCLOS sets forth the conditions for the application of baselines in a specific and exhaustive manner, whereas China has failed to invoke the relevant provisions of UNCLOS in asserting the lawfulness of the baselines in question," it said.
"Japan has pointed out that the Arbitral Tribunal ruled that the 'historical rights' based on the 'nine-dash line' claimed by China were found to be contrary to UNCLOS and were clearly denied," it added.
Japan said it regrets that China has not changed yet its position of not accepting the arbitral tribunal's award, and has continued to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with the UNCLOS.
"Taking this opportunity, Japan refers to Article 296 of UNCLOS, which articulates that any decision rendered by a tribunal having jurisdiction under UNCLOS shall be final and shall be complied with by all the parties to the dispute," it said.
"Japan will continue working in coordination with the international community to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law," it added.