Shoichi Nakagawa

The move could escalate an energy dispute between the two Asian powers, who have not agreed on where to draw the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones in the area.

Shoichi Nakagawa, the minister of economy, trade and industry, said an official geophysical survey had confirmed the Chinese project extended into what Japan claims as its side of the undersea areas.

He said the government would shortly renew its demand to Beijing that the project be halted and its data be provided to Tokyo.

"If there is no sincere response in a week or so, we will start the procedure toward granting test-drilling rights," Nakagawa said.

He said the survey had stopped short of confirming the existence of resources on the Japanese side but that the Chinese project might affect "natural resources on the Japanese side."

China embarked on the exploration project in early 2004 on its side of the median line between the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 9, 2005
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