Asahi wrote that the GOJ has begun to develop its policy toward the Arctic amid the escalating tug-of-war between Russia and China in the region. Noting that the GOJ stated for the first time in its basic ocean policy approved at a cabinet meeting in May that the Arctic is a key issue for Japan’s ocean policy, the paper speculated that Tokyo is planning to participate more proactively in international discussions on rulemaking in the region concerning natural resources development and the use of sea routes connecting Europe and Asia.

The paper added that in view of the absence of a legal framework for the peaceful use of the Arctic, Japan incorporated in its basic ocean policy the goals of securing national interests through multilateral dialogue and of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Arctic in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.