Japan will press China to provide detailed information about its gas drilling facilities near the median line between the two countries' exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea, amid concerns the facilities could pose a threat to Japan's security, a government source said Wednesday.
In 2008, the countries agreed to jointly develop natural gas fields, which Tokyo believes may straddle the EEZs, and China had begun drilling on its own. Chinese facilities have since increased from four to 12, while no bilateral talks to allay Japan's concerns have been held for years due to soured ties, a diplomatic source said.
The Defense Ministry also said Wednesday it will increase the references to the gas field issue in its 2015 white paper. In addition to the description of Chinese activities, the document will say that Japan has repeatedly protested China's gas drilling in the East China Sea and urged it to stop the construction work, a ministry source said.