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Since the first session held in 1973, the Third U.N. Conference on the Law
of the Sea has discussed matters concerning the law of the sea seven times.
It is now clear that the expansion of territorial waters from 3 nautical miles
to 12 nautical miles and the establishment of 200-nautical mile fishery zones
will be incorporated into a new Law of the Sea Treaty.
During the seventh session held in 1978, hot discussions were held about
such key. problems as development of deepesea floors, determination of the outer
margin of continental shelves, and identification of territorial borders according
to the Informal Composite Negotiating Text (ICNT), but were postponed to the
eighth session because of deadlocked arguments.
As regards maritime transportation, such crucial problems as ocean pollution
and a navigation system through international straits are under discussion.
Japan as a maritime nation, must clearly show its position before the conference
while carefully taking stock of opinions both at home and abroad.
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