Japan and China agree to create a ‘crisis management mechanism’ to avoid potential disputes in the East China Sea; Chain to ease restrictions on Japanese food imports; Japan to provide around 67 billion Yen to help Iraq’s reconstruction efforts
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    • According to reports, during Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba’s recent one-day visit to China, both the states agreed to jointly create a ‘crisis management body’ to avoid potential bilateral maritime disputes in the East China Sea region. Such a body is proposed to involve the foreign ministers, coast guards and other relevant organizations from both the countries. During his interaction with Gemba, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reportedly reiterated China’s commitment to maintain communication with Japan to resume the bilateral negotiations towards signing a treaty on a joint gas development project in the East China Sea. 1

    In the meantime, China has decided to partially ease restrictions on the Japanese food imports that were imposed after the Fukushima nuclear accident in March this year. China is to resume imports of Japanese farm and food products and livestock feed (except perishable products such as vegetables, fruits, dairy and fishery products) from 37 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. However, the Japanese government has been asked to attach documents noting the place of origin of the products before exporting them to China.2

    During Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki’s recent four-day visit to Japan, Prime Minister announced that Tokyo would provide loans of around 67 billion yen for Iraq’s reconstruction efforts. The amount is to be basically used to improve two oil refineries and for two new projects related to communications and health. Both the leaders also struck a deal on an investment accord which is proposed to come into force as early as possible. 3

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