Intro

The Island dispute between China and Japan became a big international issue and both sides have legitimate reasons supporting their argument of sovereignty. Also there is history behind conflict and the factor that lead this catastrophic progress of the issue.

It will be very difficult to see every different countries opinion and history and assess the balanced view. However, by presenting two main views, Chinese and Japanese, and looking at the history and the key dramatic factors, it will be possible to grip the idea of general picture of the conflict

The first article deals with the history and the key factors, which lead the tension in more serious state. The second article deals with the Japanese view on the argument. The third article deals with the Chinese position of this conflict.

References

Wang, Y. (September 27^th 2012). Commentary: History and laws refute Japan's claim Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2012-09/27/c_131877372.htm

Westlake, A. (September 28^th 2012). Author Haruki Murakami says nationalism over Japan-China dispute is like ‘cheap liquor’. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://japandailypress.com/author-haruki-murakami-says-nationalism-over-japan-china-dispute-is-like-cheap-liquor-2813718

The Korean Times. (September 16^th 2012). Korea to raise historical issues against Japan at UN assembly. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/09/120_120050.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. (September 2012). The Basic View on the Sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://www.mofa.go.jp/%5Cregion/asia-paci/senkaku/senkaku.html

Buckley, C. (September 26^th 2012) Noda vows no compromise as Japan, China dig in on islands row. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/26/us-china-japan-idUSBRE88P1QS20120926

Arimitsu, H. (September 28^th 2012) Noda vows no compromise / Calls for dialogue with China over Senkaku Islands issue. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120927004054.htm

Zheng, L. (September 25^th 2012) White paper makes watertight case for China's Diaoyu claim: scholars worldwide. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://english.cntv.cn/20120926/107036.shtml

Brunnstrom, D. (September 26^th 2012) Japan sees no need to compromise on island sovereignty: PM Noda. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/26/us-japan-china-noda-idUSBRE88P1KB20120926

Hu, P. (September 22^nd 2012) Commentary: Japanese PM's attempt to confuse world at UN over Diaoyu Islands doomed to fail. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://english.cntv.cn/20120924/106331.shtml

Tang, D. (September 26^th 2012) China Voice: China's resolve to safeguard sovereignty will never change. Retrieved September 29^th 2012 from http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2012-09/26/c_131875093.htm

The rise of the tension and nationalism

The territorial conflict between Japan and China came to the international spotlight; it is no longer a tension just between the two countries but also it is, now, a global-scale issue. However, this collision is not just an abrupt event; it has been around for a long time embedded in the history of both countries.

In 1895, the Japanese government proposed a forceful treaty, to occupy the Island of Formosa (Taiwan) and its sub-islands, to the Qing government, the old Chinese kingdom. Japanese government occupied the islands for more than a half century before their defeat in the Second World War. Then, Japan agreed to follow the San Francisco Treaty, which includes the restoration of the occupied island.

The tension is on the surface again because of the rise of the nationalism of both countries. The claim of Island is triggered by the nationalist Prime Minister, solidifying the territorial power by purchasing the island from the private owner. China, in response, started anti-Japan nationalist protest.

Korea, my motherland, is suffering similar dispute with Japan; similar historical suffering and similar reaction just like China. And as a Korean Citizen, I am quite worried about the sudden rise of the Nationalism of Japan which makes a huge negative tension to all of the neighboring countries.

Japanese View

Japanese claims that the island of Senkaku (Diaoyu) and its territorial boundary belongs under their jurisdiction.

According to Japanese government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 1971, Japan earned the right of sovereignty through the agreement between Japan and America.

Therefore Japanese people believes that it is belongs to them.

The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made an announcement at the United Nation General Assembly about this complicated matter between two countries strongly underlining the right of the island clearly belongs to Japan.

In his speech, he argues that the purchase of the Island from the private property is the rightful act and Japan still has the jurisdiction over the land and the sea.

Japanese government wants to solve this territorial conflict with Chinese government in a peaceful way without hurting their business market.

Chinese View

In Chinese worldview, the ownership of the Senkaku (Diaoyu) island and its territorial boundaries belong to China.

Recently, in the United Nation General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda, made an official announcement strongly protecting the current Chinese political position of the Island and securing Japanese territorial right.

In response, the Chinese government made a counter-announcement, through Chinese Foreign ministry spokes man. China claims that the Japanese government is highly distorting the history, the inhumane crime committed in World War 2 to many neighboring nations, and tries to violate the settlement of peace, justice and security of worldwide established in post World War 2. In addition, they mentioned the content of Cairo Declaration, the post war international agreement, which demands Japan to return all territories it usurped during WWII.

Despite all the efforts and attempt of Japan, China’s attitude towards the Island seems never been changed; they want the sovereignty of the land and they will defend it no matter what it costs.