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In your opinion, who has the most valid claim to the disputed isles known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China?

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The Okinawans.

But who has ever listened to them?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan

3 ( +3 / -0 )

As a supporter of Senkaku independence , I say neither.

Freedom for Senkaku!!!!

On a more serious note, who says every piece of land should be owned by another country? It is just a few bits of rock which happen to be above sea level, as opposed to all of the bits of rock which are below sea level.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

There is no doubt that the islands are part of Okinawa. The knowledge that both Japan and China have about them originates there. And Okinawa is a Japanese prefecture. In fact the islands have been owned by Japanese nationals and one even by the Japanese government itself which allowed the US to use it as a live fire bombing range. A fact that begs the question of (1) why does China make a big deal about Japan "nationalizing" the islands when one of them was already "nationalized"? And (2) does China's claim to ownership since ancient times mean that the U.S. was dropping bombs on Chinese territory?

Chinese (PRC) maps throughout he 1950s and up to 1969 show the Senkaku islands to be Japanese territory. But that suddenly changes in 1971 when China decided to claim them. The fact is that it was Taiwan (ROC) which had a claim to them for reasons of fishery rights. China (PRC) by claiming Taiwan as it's own "runaway province" took over that claim as the PLAN implemented their goal to break the First Island Chain, in order to gain access to the open Pacific to challenge the US Navy. The oil and gas potential is is till there, but from China's view, the Senkakus are a strategic target.

As the U.S. has repeatedly told China that any attempt to take them by force will result in armed conflict with the U.S., a nation not bound by a war renouncing constitution, China has already lost the game on this one.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The Okinawans.

But who has ever listened to them?

Well, until they secede from Japan, that would still mean the islands belong to Japan...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is the obvious answer. They're the only country with actual documented usage and settlement of the isle. The Senkaku should be officially incorporated into Okinawa Ken and have full international rights and EEZ attached to them.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japan of course! It goes without saying.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Neither side will quit on this. I fear sometime soon there may be blood spilled over this. Especially is any natural resources are confirmed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Senkaku should be officially incorporated into Okinawa Ken and have full international rights and EEZ attached to them.

They are. The islands are part of Yaeyama county which also includes Ishigaki and Miyako island.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The original inhabitants.  Oh wait!  (open history book now...)

S

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The original inhabitants"

The people of the Ryukyu Kingdom! But they've pretty much turned into Okinawans since they were conquered by the Japanese around 400 years ago, and since Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972... Japan!

"As the U.S. has repeatedly told China that any attempt to take them by force will result in armed conflict with the U.S."

I would hope the U.S. would not get involved in a dispute over some small islands between other countries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I would hope the U.S. would not get involved in a dispute over some small islands between other countries.

We would support our ally and Japan is not just going to roll over if China tries anything militarily.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not Japan. They were supposed to cough up their 1895 conquests under the Potsdam Declaration. Maybe Taiwan. Their fishermen have been continuously using the waters from the start.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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