noun
international waters; high seas
Refers to areas of the sea outside the jurisdiction of any single country, often used in legal or geopolitical contexts.
その船は国際水域で拿捕された。
The ship was seized in international waters.
公海 is a more formal legal term for 'high seas', while 国際水域 is a broader term commonly used in news and general contexts.
Compound of 国際 (international) and 水域 (waters). The term is a direct translation of the English 'international waters'.