Two Chinese ships again seen in disputed waters

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stressed that there is no room for Tokyo to compromise over the territorial row, but has expressed his wish to meet with his Chinese counterpart to improve bilateral ties.

It will be difficult to arrange the meeting because any Chinese leader who retreat from this issue need to step down by request of Chinese people.

China has territorial disputes with Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, India and many others and yet it continue to adopt hardline position rather than negotiate in the proper international forum. China is highly dependent with other countries for trade and it will hurt its economy if relations with its neighbors are not in order. Its leaders should realize that the use of force and intimidation has no place in the present day diplomacy.

Jobert GomiaFeb. 04, 2013 - 01:39PM JST

China has territorial disputes with Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, India and many others and yet it continue to adopt hardline position rather than negotiate in the proper international forum.

Japan has territorial disputes with South Korea, Russia and China, and would have many others except it hasn't got any other neighbours, and yet it continues to adopt a hardline position rather than negotiate.

Both Japan and China are as bad as each other,

Japan has territorial disputes with South Korea, Russia and China, and would have many others except it hasn't got any other neighbours, and yet it continues to adopt a hardline position rather than negotiate.

You cannot put the Russian issue in the same category as the Korean and Chinese disputes.

As for the Korean dispute, Korea only "assumed" control of the disputed Islands after the defeat of Japan ... around 1954.

The US was did not agree with the Koreas actions and Dean Rusk, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs clearly stated at the time

Liancourt Rocks

"As regards the island of Dokdo, otherwise known as Takeshima or Liancourt Rocks, this normally uninhabited rock formation was according to our information never treated as part of Korea and, since about 1905, has been under the jurisdiction of the Oki Islands Branch Office of Shimane Prefecture of Japan. The island does not appear ever before to have been claimed by Korea."

JanesBlondeFeb. 04, 2013 - 02:52PM JST

You cannot put the Russian issue in the same category as the Korean and Chinese disputes. As for the Korean dispute, Korea only "assumed" control of the disputed Islands after the defeat of Japan ... around 1954.

Are you for real? The territorial disputes are exactly like each other. Their causes are a selective Japanese amnesia concerning it's colonial history, when it bullied its neighbours into accepting its territorial narrative, and losing a war in 1945 and paying the price of defeat.

Without enough deterrence, China will just keep sending ships there.

dog:

" Japan has territorial disputes with South Korea, Russia and China "

Well. Japan is not contiually provoking these other Partys the way that China is doing, and in regard to Takeshima has done the responsible thing, namely to suggest to send the dispute to the ICJ. And Japan certainly is not engaged in a brutal occupation of another country the way China is in Tibet!

So, your comparison is skewed. The adult party in the Senkaku dispute is Japan; China is behaving like a childish bully.

You cannot put the Russian issue in the same category as the Korean and Chinese disputes.

Entirely correct. Japanese and Russians are trying to solve territorial problem calmly, with respect to each other and without hysterical monkey's behavior (like it took place recently in China). For instance, Russians like to explore japanese -built cars, from Far East to Ural mountains. Furthermore, they used to organize riots and clashes with police in cities and towns of Far East when Putin ordered to rise custom taxes on JDM cars in December, 2008. By comparison, chinese wild crowd throwed stones and burned JDM cars during last anti-japanese actions. People in Russia respect japanese neighbours despite some political issues. The attitude of chinese to Japan and japanese people everyone can see even here, on Japan Today forums.

It seemed that both side (Beijing and Toyota) are standing by: When the war break out in the East China Sea - there will be left over a hugely dark cloud of ashes. Some countries have an opportunely to share bloodshed with Japanese people and selling arms - however, they have forgotten that many children have no fathers or mothers. It's sadly !

DogFeb. 04, 2013 - 03:07PM JST

Are you for real? The territorial disputes are exactly like each other. Their causes are a selective Japanese amnesia concerning it's colonial history, when it bullied its neighbours into accepting its territorial narrative, and losing a war in 1945 and paying the price of defeat.

Actually incorrect there. The islands were under US jurisdiction after the war with intention to release them back into Japanese control. What happened is some korean zealots landed and established living areas before the US had made a decision (much like the chinese have been trying with the landing parties they have had in the last few years). In fact, their stupidity lead to the deaths of several korean civilians that were staying on an island designated as a US armed forces training ground, when the military was having target practice on the bombing range.

Senkaku has a slightly different history, since it was uninhabited until a Japanese businessman proved that they were not "rocks", rather a chain of islands where the largest was able to support human life. The Japanese claim was never countered by anyone until after the decision to return the islands to Japan were made, and more than six months after Japanese surveyors discovered resource deposits.

On the other hand, Russia's acts of war were done after Japan surrendered to the US, and involved the murders of over a thousand. It is nothing like the other two disputes.

technosphereFeb. 04, 2013 - 09:26PM JST

Japanese and Russians are trying to solve territorial problem calmly, with respect to each other and without hysterical monkey's behavior (like it took place recently in China)

That must be why Russia decided to place more troops and missiles on the boarder with Hokkaido just over a year ago (while Japan was still in shock from 3/11), they are really peaceful....

On the other hand, Russia's acts of war were done after Japan surrendered to the US, and involved the murders of over a thousand. It is nothing like the other two disputes.

You should learn history better. Russians entered the war and fought one million men Imperial Kwantung Army in Manchuria. It was a bit harder task than, say storming Iwo Jima. That's why Act of Capitulation was signed in September instead of August, when Americans bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

That must be why Russia decided to place more troops and missiles on the boarder with Hokkaido just over a year ago (while Japan was still in shock from 3/11), they are really peaceful....

Because Russia is a sovereign state and can solve various aspects of Armed Forces without advices of Uncle Sam .By the way, when Japan "was still in shock from 3/11" Russia offered to host World Skating Championship. Russian President ordered to send additional tankers filled by gas and oil to japanese customers. This was a REAL help by comparison to PR show, called "Operation Tomodachi".

Japan should ask China how much $$$ they willing to accept to forget this islands?

You know this not news. This has been shown many many times since this whole circus started. "Chinese ships seen in disputed islands".... If I got ¥100 for everytime I read that...I would be a rich man.

I want real news. I lost .14 of a second scrolling past this post. I decided to waste more time commenting.

China and Japan obviously cannot handle this. They are acting like 2 pre-schoolers. I just wish another "mature/world aware country stepped in. They should both demand to take this to the Intl. Court. Let the winner take the islands...or why not give it to Taiwan? They could do with the extra income and jobs.

I honestly hope for everyone..this is resolved peacefully. China for one is being overly loud mouthed and pushing Japan's buttons. If they are so sure they should talk it over...and present sufficent evidence. Same goes for Japan...Instead of shouting back...they should have jaw closing evidence it belongs to them.... Bring out the evidence kids. Stop yelling "mine! mine! mine!

I am getting tired of it.