1.
the high seas; international waters (sea areas beyond any nation's jurisdiction)
The parts of the ocean that lie outside any country's territorial waters or exclusive economic zone, and are therefore open to navigation, fishing, and other uses by all nations under international law. A formal term in international law, maritime affairs, and news reporting.
According to international law, the high seas do not belong to any nation's sovereignty.
Compound of 公 ('public; common') and 海 ('sea'). Literally 'public sea' — i.e., the sea shared by all humanity rather than any single nation.
Usage
A formal, technical term. Appears in law, international relations, shipping, fishing regulation, and news. Rarely used in everyday conversation. Often followed by 上 ('on') when referring to events taking place there: 公海上で.
Common collocations
- 公海上: on the high seas
- 公海を航行する: to navigate the high seas
- 公海漁業: high-seas fishing
- 公海自由の原則: the principle of freedom of the high seas
- 公海に出る: to put out to the open sea
Similar words
- 領海: territorial waters — sea within a country's sovereignty (12 nautical miles)
- 排他的経済水域 (EEZ): exclusive economic zone — between territorial waters and the high seas
- 近海: coastal/nearby seas — not a legal term
- 外洋: open ocean — refers to physical/geographic openness, not legal status
Watch out
There are several common words read こうかい — do not confuse:
Disambiguation note
Context usually makes the intended word clear, but in writing the kanji resolve the ambiguity immediately.