Senkaku Island

[Dogen Z]

Kan et al seem to have seriously underestimated the importance of the Senkaku Island incident and would do well to do more in managing it properly. After all the effort Kan has gone to for better relations with China, he seems to be blowing it right now. The Chinese side tried to emphasize its importance by summoning the Japanese Ambassador very late in the evening and have a very high ranking official involved in the matter, but the point went right over the DPJ chief's head. The island was specifically mentioned as a dangerous flashpoint for Japanese Chinese relation by Bill Emmot in his book Rivals. Wake up Mr. Kan.

 

[Elizabeth]

I caught a bit of Maehara on NHK this morning. He took a very reasonable tone with words like 'discuss the matter' and 'deal with each other in a level-headed manner' without making any commitments . But then told reporters after the show that he is not scheduled to speak with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi during his five-day visit to New York from Tuesday to attend U.N. meetings.

Maybe they perceive that with drilling in the area China seems to have hardened its stance since the collisions and are reacting to that in equal measure?

 

[Dogen Z]

By ignoring China's claim on Denkaku, Maehara legitimizes China's claim on the gas field in the East China Sea as well as Russia's claim to the Kuril Isles. Might makes right. Moreover, Japan risks losing all the goodwill built up recently with it's 2nd largest trading partner. So Japan has much to lose and little to gain in this matter. Kan should show some statesmanship and order the captain's release, especially since his first order of business is to improve the economy. He doesn't need this.

 

[Elizabeth]

This has been Japanese territory since the 1800s, and China only claimed it in 1971 after gas fields were discovered in 1969. The vessel, operating illegally in Japanese territory, provoked a collision with 2 Japanese coast guard ships.

China just isn't used to anyone standing up to them and have no mechanism for dealing with unforeseen crises rationally.

 

[Dogen Z]

Senkaku and the gas fields are in different locations. China's ownership claim predates Japan's. So it's not cut and dried.

 

[4321go]

Don't mention it ~

Peace~~

There is no doubt, The U.S. government should take responsibility for this~