부산대학교 도서관

The enactment of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in article 121 stipulates that 'the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of an island are determined in accordance with the provisions of this Convention applicable to other land territory.'The Okinotori is apparently a tiny rock, however, Japan is actively declaring its 'island' status publicly. The reason that Japan enthusiastically claiming Okinotori as an 'island'because its enormous economic values. Whether or not Okinotori's status could be justified as an 'island' in international law, this would be one of the main exploring points of this article. On the other hand, when China's military activities are increasing in the Western Pacific Ocean, the geo-strategic value of Okinotori in military usage has been magnified. Other strategic implications of Japan's management of Okinotori, also would be explored in this article.