Japan is increasing fishery-related aid to Indonesia's remote Natuna Islands in the southern South China Sea, aiming to counter China's influence. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo plans to fund the development of a fish market in Ranai, the main city on Bunguran Island. The area sees overlap between Indonesia's exclusive economic zone and China's contested "nine-dash line" claim.
Japan has announced plans to enhance its support for Indonesia's remote Natuna Islands, located in the southern part of the South China Sea. The initiative comes amid concerns over China's growing influence in the area. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo intends to provide assistance for developing a fish market in Ranai, the central city of Bunguran Island, the largest in the Natuna chain.
The waters around the Natuna Islands feature partial overlap between Indonesia's exclusive economic zone and the area encircled by China's unilateral "nine-dash line" claim, which covers much of the South China Sea. This has led to ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries between Indonesia and China. Japan's aid focuses on fisheries to help stabilize the region and bolster Indonesia-Japan ties.
The Natuna Islands are isolated, with fishing as a key economic activity. The fish market project aims to stimulate local development and promote sustainable fishing practices.
