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Japan protests to China over Okinawa claim

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What did Japan EXPECT China was going to do? Back down from provocations? Anyway, it doesn't matter if they WERE Chinese property way back when, they have been Japanese for so long it cannot really be contested.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Hmmm. Kyushu next?

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Yawn. Back and forth, it never ends.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Paying tribute to the Manchus does not make one part of China.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Don't worry Japan, so long as our military bases are in Okinawa, nobody will touch Okinawa.

Now, wouldn't those F-35 look good setting at your air bases. I bet you the Chinese would talk a little softer when you have a couple hundred of them hanging around. So open up that wallet and do your part as our allies.

1 ( +17 / -16 )

Had to laugh at the, “is a fact accepted historically and by the international community” quote. Since when did things being accepted by the international community have any weight in Japan. If you agree with what they say you can pull this quote; if not you can just say that it's a Japanese domestic issue and that they don't understand/shouldn't get involved.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

Just because the people living there 100 years ago "respected" China and their leaders does not make them part of China.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

I think people are getting this the wrong way. The People's Daily is a tabloid, only half the stories contain some potential truth, the other half are non-sense. The article about Okinawa not belonging to Japan belongs to the non-sense half.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Thinking about it, hundreds, perhaps thousands of scholars have cast doubt as to China's sovereignty over Tibet, too, but as China says, that would be meddling in China's internal affairs.

In this case, however, I think China is meddling in Japan's internal affairs. Perhaps hoping to start a rift between Japan, Okinawa and the US? Meddling for a good cause even, ie in the service of Chinese hegemony?

Japan should have politely ignored the article in question.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

@Canadian

Following the article, the Chinese foreign ministry reportedly said “the history of Ryukyu and Okinawa has long called for attention in academia”.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Nandaka,

Japan should have politely ignored the article in question.

Japan benefits from calling out China's nonsense. The rest of Asia will see China for the threat it is and increase ties with Japan and the US in response.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

This is just an obtuse way for China to challenge the US "Asian Pivot". Making it as costly to the US as possible, and the US has to go to China to get more money.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Upgrayedd: "Japan benefits from calling out China's nonsense."

Not in this case, they don't, and usually not in general. China is just stirring the pot here, and Japan took it hook, line, and sinker. Let's say, for example, the Japanese government/media declare that: "It does not matter if they were long ago Chinese territory. That is the past. They have long been administered and lived on by the Japanese" they literally screw themselves by the same argument in most other island issues. They should have just shrugged, maybe laughed, and said little or nothing.

" The rest of Asia will see China for the threat it is and increase ties with Japan and the US in response."

No, they will continue to reap the benefits of Japan's attempts to isolate China, but will most certainly continue dealing with China as well.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

China's claim to Okinawa is just as bogus as their claim to the Senkaku islands. Notice how China is always changing their stance. In the 1950's the Senkaku islands were considered by China to be a part of Okinawa. In 1972, the Chinese suddenly decide that they're not.

"Unresolved problems relating to the Ryukyu Islands have reached the time for reconsideration," wrote Zhang Haipeng and Li Guoqiang

Yep. The times are a-changin' so China's stance must change too. Maybe it's time to reconsider China's occupation of Tibet and East Turkestan. And that's just for openers.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I wonder what the ideal outcome of those who wrote that report is? That Japan accept these claims, evacuate hundreds of thousands of civilians, dismantle all the US bases and send them packing to Hawaii, hand over administration of the islands to China and set up the relevant administrative infrastructure? Bizarre..

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan benefits from calling out China's nonsense. The rest of Asia will see China for the threat it is and increase ties with Japan and the US in response.

Do you really think it takes articles like this for folks to see the threat that China poses? Come on, if so, I feel sorry for the people who live in these countries because their leaders have to be brain-dead. Everyone knows, this just is more stupid fodder for internet forums and news readers on TV.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@TonyEw where are ya buddy ? What are your educated thoughts on this propaganda ? This article just shows the mentality of china staking its own claims to every island in the pacific region. What we need is another Hilary Clinton comment ...good luck with that idea ... They are raising the bar of expectations and getting their own countrymen wound up more. It's state run right ?? So why didn't the government step in and censor that like they do everything else ??

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I recommend China to send some extremist to step on Okinawa as they did on Senkaku and lets see what happens

6 ( +6 / -0 )

So Ryukyu was only vassal to China in hope they will be protected in case of a Japanese invasion.

The Japanese has had a massive influence in Ryukyu's affairs already, and their invasion did not met any resistance from Ryukyu.

Of course China did not bother protecting them in any way, and they became the facto Japanese. The ex-king became a member of the imperial family.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Japan should just bite and give land, but instead of Okinawa they should give them Fukushima. And only the part with the reactor on it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

For the love of Cheese... whatever next?

I wonder what the Okinawan people would say if Japan handed them over?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So Ryukyu was only vassal to China in hope they will be protected in case of a Japanese invasion.

Not at all, they paid tribute to the court and in return received many other benefits at the time, including trade provisions, and cultural exchanges. There was nothing militarily between the two and even though requests were made it seems in the latter 1860's when Satsuma annexed Okinawa, there was no serious consideration nor assistance provided.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I have an Okinawian friend and the only comment was " what! The only choice is Japan and China? $€%# we really are screwed."

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I'm disappointed that Japan even gave this nonsense any life at all.

They should have ignored it. I mean, can you imagine if some newspaper in japan published an article saying something like "Taiwan should really be Japanese."

The Chinese would go apoplectic. Burning, looting Japanese businesses, burning flags etc etc.

Crackers.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Childish, if a diplomatic complaint needs to be raise based on news articles or research papers, both China and Japan will be very busy. considering some of the China bashing articles from Japan, and vice versa.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Forgot to mention, China's just talking it up to justify US presense in Okinawa, something that I think should not happen. US troops should move back to US. Don't buy those F35, useless junk, use the money to create jobs for young Japanese.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Freedom for Okinawa!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

China claims the Senkakus and Japan says "No they are part of the Ryuku chain and therefore part of Okinawa" so China counters with "OK, then the whole Ryuku chain including Okinawa are ours".

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Why would Japan even listen to these clowns??? It's a joke! They are a joke.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Certainly the Foreign Ministry could have come up with a better retort than "we would never accept it and protest firmly at it."

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What's the Mandarin for Liebensraum?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

A few people mentioned this and another 1.3 billion are laughing in China. Why get so worked up!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

LOL!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

a more proper response would be "Yeah, We'll get right on that..."

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I love this stuff. China's think tank is smoking crack. I don't think China would have any better luck removing the USMC from Okinawa than Japan has recently. But hey, every one has Got to have a dream.... China's is a crack induced one.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Tiger_In_The_Hermitage:

Childish, if a diplomatic complaint needs to be raise based on news articles or research papers, both China and Japan will be very busy. considering some of the China bashing articles from Japan, and vice versa.

This is the mouthpiece of CCP, aka Chinese government. Although people in the world knows it is a tabloid but it does reflect government view. If Japan did not protest formally next year China "scholars" would say that they have "historic proof" that in 2013 Japan did not do anything when China claimed the island! Who know what they would do? Cautious to China is always wise and not redundant!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@highball87 Can you offer modernized F-22s with the oxygen problem fixed and with avionics upgraded to take in the best features of the F-35 suite? Then I'll open my wallet :-)

@soldave

Had to laugh at the, “is a fact accepted historically and by the international community” quote. Since when did things being accepted by the international community have any weight in Japan. If you agree with what they say you can pull this quote; if not you can just say that it's a Japanese domestic issue and that they don't understand/shouldn't get involved.

Actually, it does. They are pulling back from reviewing their apologies as we speak, apparently.

@CanadianJapan Even if you try to minimize it that way, the trend is nevertheless worrying. A year back, this was still only in the Global Times which AFAIK is much more nutjob right wing than People's Daily. I thought they'd at least keep it there for a few years, but I was wrong.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

With U.S. bases on okinawa chances are very unlikely that china will get their hands on the ryukyus and i don't think they will try sending government vessels around it like they do to the other disputed islands because U.S. presence. I think china knows its too late to try and gain the ryukyus so this could just be a move by CCP to get something elsewhere

2 ( +2 / -0 )

China is a joke. It's a nation that's corrupt, polluted, and authoritarian. A superpower? The leader of Asia? No way in Hell.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

I bet there are more than a few Okinawans who wud love to pull up anchor & drift away from the idiots they are surrounded by!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Why did Japan have to register a formal protest? They should have just laughed it off like the rest of the world has done. Everybody keeps dissing on China for their crap, but Japan is no better and playing the same games. Everybody knows, if you ignore a noisy child they will eventually shut up, but if you continue to antagonize the child they just get louder and more opstroperous.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Jeff198527 - China is polluted because of all the cheap Chinese crap you and every other person in the world has bought.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Communist china should be ostracized and shunned by the international community since it is clear that they have not the slightest clue of how to work and play well with others. All joint ventures and capital investments should be terminated immediately.

Let the communists receive no assistance or cooperation from any democracies around the world. And if they think they stealing other peoples land is as easy as stealing technology and pirating products that don't belong to them, let them come and try.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Perhaps Mongolia should come out with a claim on China?... since they were a "vassal state" of the Mongolian Empire.

This is petty sabre rattling by a bunch of academics.. nothing more.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Hang on a minute, if China is taking a historical approach to ownership then they have to face the fact that the Communist Party never actually owned China, they stole it from the emperors of old.

Time to give it back boys and bring back the emperor system.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Is Japanese begging the master for help? Funny

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

The PRC just wants The U.S. out of Asia.

We're undoubtly a HUGE thorn in their side when it comes to their push to Communize the entire Western Pacific.

We will not leave Okinawa nor let it fall into the hands of Communist Maoist Extremism.

America and Japan will continue a "Pivot" to Democratize ALL of Asia so future generations can make a Democratic Choice on how their Governmets should Work for the people's benefit and not the Communist Leaders benefit.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Saketown,

America and Japan will have to democratise their own countries first.

Surely you don't think of the U.S.A. and Japan as being democratic, do you?

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

smithinjapanMay. 09, 2013 - 04:18PM JST "Upgrayedd: "Japan benefits from calling out China's nonsense." Not in this case, they don't, and usually not in general. China is just stirring the pot here, and Japan took it hook, line, >and sinker.

Sorry smith but in the world of law, when you have an objection to another's actions or statements, prompt response is required to register the objection. Failure to do so and just "shrug" can be interpreted as an indication of acceptance. There are legal concepts such as Laches which reduce one's rights by failing to raise an objection. Why do you think the United States told Jap[an to immediately file a complaint against South Korea when they unilaterally took over Takeshima?

" The rest of Asia will see China for the threat it is and increase ties with Japan and the US in response."

No, they will continue to reap the benefits of Japan's attempts to isolate China, but will most certainly continue dealing >with China as well.

Japan's attempts to isolate China? LOL. Like China's own words and actions alone aren't isolating China?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I wonder if this feud between us will ever end.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Wilson Leung May. 09, 2013 - 10:40PM JST s Japanese begging the master for help? Funny

Would you prefer that Japan had no "master" and went back to the way they were when they beat the bejeezus out of Chna? I don't think that's funny at all. Do you?

malfupeteMay. 09, 2013 - 10:28PM JST "Perhaps Mongolia should come out with a claim on China?... since they were a "vassal state" of the Mongolian Empire. This is petty sabre rattling by a bunch of academics.. nothing more.

No its a lot more when the Chinese Foreign Ministry supports something printed in a State controlled news source written by state controlled school academics.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=int_30&k=2013050900614

In this article, it states that Chinese officials including Mao called for RETURN of Okinawa to Japan during which time it was under U.S. administration. LOL.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The Qing government itself admired in the 1870s that the people of Okinawa were Japanese and Japan was "just" in it's invasion of Taiwan in 1874 to punish Taiwanese Aborigines who massacred 50 shipwrecked sailors from Okinawa.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Uh typo, admired -> admitted

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Leszek Rybicki Freedom for Okinawa!

Freedom has been there since they have been under the same constitutions of Japan since 1972 as you know.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@BertieWoosterMay. 09, 2013 - 10:53PM JST "Saketown, America and Japan will have to democratise their own countries first. Surely you don't think of the U.S.A. and Japan as being democratic, do you?"

LOL - Japan is a Democracy (Parliamentary). And Yes, so is the The U.S.

We got that thing called "The Constitution" and "The Bill of Rights".

Read up on it sometime shipmate. ;)

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Let Okinawa be independant and let the republic of okinawa plays Japan, China , USA off each other.............let the $ rolls !!

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Clever way for China to get the Japanese government all riled up and spend more money on defense. Sometimes, I think it's a conspiracy between China and the US to bankrupt Japan. Hey, stranger things have happened. China could really win this one without firing a single shot, just as what the West did to the USSR way back.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Ulysses S. Grant decided that Japan's claim to Okinawa was stronger than China's, when asked to mediate the dispute concerning sovereignty.

Okinawans are genetically and linguistically more closely related to the Yamato people than anyone else on this planet, least of all the Chinese! Their traditional language belongs to the Japonic family.

Being a tributary does not co-relate to sovereignty rights being afforded to the recipient of tributes; China has no claim and they know it.

China is asking for another spanking and it appears they're going to get it; her massive army is useless in any naval entanglement.

Japan is an old naval power whilst China has never been one.

In 1905 the World was readying itself for Japan’s humiliation by Russia, only for Japan to administer what was then the first modern victory of a non-White power over a European one.

China thought itself too as being big, bad and powerful enough to take on the "little" Japanese, resulting in 3 defeats at Japan's hands.

And no, Japan did not surrender in 1945 because it was losing the war against China!

Fast forward to 2013, there are predictions of yet Japanese triumph should naval engagements occur, even without US involvement. China's navy and maritime skills are not capable of defeating Japan, although many armchair generals here at Japan Today would argue otherwise.

China only has one non-operational carrier with no planes; Japan already has 2 Hyuga class carriers both deployed and fully operational, with 2 more even larger carriers on the way. Japanese pilots have the skill to land atop floating platforms in any weather and conduct over the horizon landings. It's only a matter of time before fighters rather than helicopters are on board.

In a non-nuclear conflict between the two, chances are China will get another pasting.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Hmmm. Kyushu next?

No, we still have home in Hirashima.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Korea will be next.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, on Wednesday published a call for a review of Japan’s sovereignty over Okinawa, suggesting that Beijing may be the rightful owner."

Hey, PRC big rocks with holes have been found from California to South America how about claiming those ar yours also!LOL

These uncivilized Communist Nationalist are chomping at the bit to go to war with the world, but what they have not learned from the past is that the Qing Dynasty thought the same way and they fell real quick.

Now whatever happened to the great fleets of "Beiyang?

Oh yeah, they sunk...LOL

1 ( +2 / -1 )

smithinjapanMay. 09, 2013 - 03:23PM JST What did Japan EXPECT China was going to do? Back down from provocations? Anyway, it doesn't matter if they WERE Chinese property way back when, they have been Japanese for so long it cannot really be contested.

Tell that to Vietnam, the Philippines, India and Tibet in each of those cases your favorite PRC nation was the aggressor.

As always you are channeling Neville Chamberlain like a true medium.

What's next, allow the PRC to take over Okinawa to appease them?

Wake up and stop promoting your favorite nation's propaganda here Smith.

The PRC is wrong and so are you.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

China's claim to Okinawa is just as bogus as their claim to the Senkaku islands. Notice how China is always changing their stance.>

You're right, it belongs to Taiwan anyway :)

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

You can own the earth and still, Never own the earth until... You can paint with all the colors of the wind....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just because Okinawa was a tributary state doesn't mean it belonged to China. They are two different things. Funny how nationalists always try to say tributary means it belongs to us. What a load of garbage.

Next on the list. Okinawa never belonged to China. Okinawa was never originally Japanese either. They had their unique culture. Not to mention karate is technically Okinawan MA.

China's logic is flawed. Korea should be laying claim on Manchuria with that stupid logic. There's alot of things the Chinese claim is their own like the sexy Manchurian qipao.

Chinese claim everything as chinese. Wasn't it recently that they started this bs. They even claimed the Leodo island of Korea as their own as well as the northern Korean kingdom Koguryo.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Just wonder why smart Japanese with high tech, don't have basic moral and logical thinking. What Japan goverment has been doing since nationalizing the island, eventually lauched a war against China. As a result, what japan expects from China?! Hard to go back, Japan has to pay.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Senkaku is part of Japan, not China. By the way, it belongs to the nature. Better to turn it in a natural reserve.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One can criticize the Chinese for many things, and I do, but you can’t call them stupid or careless. This article is merely part of China’s overall “grand strategy” – the question is what was its intent. Some may say that it was just another message to Japan signaling the seriousness of China’s claims to the Senkakus. Or it may be a message to the US in reply to its military “re-balance” to the Pacific. Some may say that it has a even deeper hidden meaning – it’s a message sent with the intent of actually strengthening the US-Japan alliance, so that Abe-san and the LDP will find it more difficult to argue that the US is an unreliable security partner, making it easier to rescind the limitations in Japan’s constitution, grow and broaden its military, and possibly develop a nuclear weapons capability.

While the disagreements are often the ones highlighted, China and the US share a great many of the same goals – one in particular is that neither want to see a re-militarized Japan – a Japan that may again turn to the right and militarily threaten others.

So while the Senkakus, and its associated natural resources, would be a significant prize for China – they are hardly worth the price of realizing China’s greatest foreign policy fear - having to deal with a nuclear armed Japan. So China keeps playing its “deep game” – advancing its claims to the Senkakus, while at the same time tacitly giving support to the US-Japan alliance with comments like this.

I find it interesting that this statement comes out just after recent trips to Beijing by the US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff…….

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Both Japan and China are not attractive nations for Okinawa. If Okinawa is a princess, Taiwan is a prince Charming for her. Both love to eat pork. Geographically and Geologically and both are identical. Both natives share similar custom, tradition and tradition. Many are fans of Taiwanese aborigines pop.

Whether J government is happy or not, Okinawa residents have never been proud or happy as second class citizen of Japan. They are the one burdening the security in such a small land space. South has to rise again for their pride, dignity and honor.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

[quote] nigelboy: In this article, it states that Chinese officials including Mao called for RETURN of Okinawa to Japan during which time it was under U.S. administration. LOL. [/quote]

Both Mao and the people of Ryukyu were agreeable to the return of Ryukyu to Japan on one condition – that Japan kicks out all the American occupying forces or so called the US military on the islands. Japan however rejected the offer then. Is Mao's offer 5 decades ago still valid today? I doubt so.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is no doubt that Japan's claim over Ryukyu is a violation of the series of documents/ agreements that Japan signed/ entered with the international community that enabled the ending of WWII. These include at least the Potsdam Agreement, Japanese Instrument of Surrender, San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1972 China-Japan Peace Treaty and etc.

In 1951, Japan entered into the San Francisco Peace Treaty and ceded the Sovereignty of Ryukyu to the UN under an UN trusteeship with the US as the administration body. It says:

"Japan will concur in any proposal of the United States to the United Nations to place under its trusteeship system, with the United States as the sole administering authority, Nansei Shoto south of 29° north latitude (including the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands)"

In 1972, the US transferred the administration rights of the Ryukyu islands to Japan without any approval from the UN but said the transfer of administration rights will in no way affect the Sovereignty of Ryukyu islands. It is therefore only logical to conclude that the San Francisco Peace Treaty is still valid and the Sovereignty of Ryukyu islands still lies with the UN.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And in 1972, Japan signed a peace treaty with China which says "The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation."

And Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation says:

"The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we (US, UK, China and Russia) determine."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Both Mao and the people of Ryukyu were agreeable to the return of Ryukyu to Japan on one condition – that Japan kicks out all the American occupying forces or so called the US military on the islands. Japan however rejected the offer then. Is Mao's offer 5 decades ago still valid today? I doubt so.

Offer? No. PRC nor Mao was in no position to dictate, bargain, or negotiate legally.

In 1972, the US transferred the administration rights of the Ryukyu islands to Japan without any approval from the UN but said the transfer of administration rights will in no way affect the Sovereignty of Ryukyu islands. It is therefore only logical to conclude that the San Francisco Peace Treaty is still valid and the Sovereignty of Ryukyu islands still lies with the UN.

Not logical at all whatsoever since the treaty had already assigned U.S. as the "sole administrative authority". In other words, U.S. And U.S. alone has the authority to continue, assign, or return to whomever she sees fit.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

They were not historians. Japan should claim China belong to Okinawa. After all, their Kun Fu is nothing but copy of Okinawa people developed Karate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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