Tokyo: Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Monday asked Brunei for stable supply of liquefied natural gas to her country.

Kamikawa, now visiting Brunei, made the request at a meeting with Erywan Yusof, second foreign minister of the Southeast Asian nation, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

They agreed to strengthen economic relations between Japan and Brunei.

Apparently with China in mind, Kamikawa expressed serious concern over unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and coercive behavior in the South China Sea.

Kamikawa and Erywan affirmed that Japan and Brunei will work together in responding to the South China Sea situation.

Kamikawa gave explanations about the release of treated water containing tritium, a radioactive substance, into the ocean from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s meltdown-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station in northeastern Japan.

Erywan responded by saying that Brunei appreciates Japan conducting the operation in a transparent way based on scientific evidence.

Before being discharged, the treated water is diluted with seawater to substantially reduce the concentration of tritium. The water release into the Pacific Ocean started on Aug. 24.

Later on Monday, Kamikawa met with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

JIJI Press