Who has the best claim to the Senkaku Islands: Japan, China or Taiwan?

Non-objectively, Japan. This serves United States interests the best, and conversly China would be worst. Objectively, these islands were not won by Japan through war and therefore never taken away at the end of WWII, falling under US control then handed to Japan as part of Okinawa. Taiwan's argument has some validity as at one time they were considered part of Taipei prefecture when Taiwan was part of the Japanese Empire. However both Taiwan and China effectively recognized Japanese control and ignored them until the 1970s when it became apparent that there may be natural resources to be had. China's claim is the most laughable as anyone can look at a map and see how far removed from China they are, yet they are the most aggressive, a reflection of their territorial expansionist agenda and desire to undermine US strategic dominance in East Asia.

Weakest has the best claim, so it should belong to Japan.

Neither Japan nor China have the best claims to the islands. The islands belong to Taiwan and Okinawa. It belongs to the indigenous peoples of these two places. The problem is mainlanders from China arrived in Taiwan and mainlanders from Japan arrived in Okinawa. Japan controls Okinawa and China claims Taiwan and the indigenous peoples get left with nothing.

My solution is to leave these islands alone - never drill for oil there. Keep the natural beauty.

The islands belong to Taiwan and Okinawa. It belongs to the indigenous peoples of these two places. The problem is mainlanders from China arrived in Taiwan and mainlanders from Japan arrived in Okinawa. Japan controls Okinawa and China claims Taiwan and the indigenous peoples get left with nothing.

Really like this. Geographically the Senkakus are not related to Japan so best claim must surely go to the Taiwanese. But possession is 99% of ownership, so Japan keeps them.

China can and should submit their dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague. This may provide an answer. The court's schedule likely means years of uncertainty before a decision is rendered, and given the inherent legal difficulties, there is a good chance the ICJ would render a divided or inconclusive judgement. The question is whether Japan's administration is tainted by war, claiming by conquest is invalid.

But possession is 99% of ownership

Possession is 99% of the offense!

Taiwan should have ownership of these islands.

@spudman:

What do you mean by "geographically" the nearest other islands that both side agree are the others territory make that it is closer to Japan than Taiwan.

They are 170 kilometers (106 mi) north of Ishigaki Island, Japan; 186 km (116 mi) northeast of Keelung, but as of yesterday you will no longer see this information mentioned on wiki strange how I wrote this fact just a few days ago and now it has been removed from Wiki!

Now if you are implying "geographically" actually meaning geologically well then in that case we would have to start rewriting just about every border in the world.

Japan was the first to officially incorporate the island and that is how international law works otherwise we will have claims for every past Empire saying that at one time or another this territory or that territory was theirs.

Okinawa.

I say China does. But that said, why not simply share?

So when is this thread going to explode? I say Japan, but jianadaren makes some sense.

Actually sharing resources might bring everyone into a greater understanding of how limited resources actually are. Whether you manage them with someone else, or within your own nation, managing them is going to be necessary sooner or later.

This grabbing and exploitation benefits nobody in the long run. Once you grab an interest, you make enemies and then you have to defend it. What a pain.

I have often thought that Japan should just write all of these territories off and pay more attention to what it has. Japan has enough. Other countries will never have enough.

Klein2: Are you serious or sarcastic?

What resources does Japan have just about every basic primary resource is imported, China on the other hand has everything from oil, precious metals, rare metals, iron and even diamonds and somehow always wants more.

Japan has offered to negotiate joint development of the resources in that region but by the looks and sound of it China would rather just take it all.

some14some at 07:43 AM JST - 15th September Weakest has the best claim, so it should belong to Japan.

That would be Taiwan.

sfjp330 at 09:13 AM JST - 15th September China can and should submit their dispute to the International Court of >Justice (ICJ) at The Hague

That's one idea. But of course that would open the door for similar claims by other countries against China which, with 17, holds the highest number of territorial disputes in Asia.

16 April 2008: two PLAAF J-10A multirole fighter peremptorily intercepted a Japanese P-3C anti-submarine and reconnaissance airplane that was flying closely above the Senkaku Islands. The two J-10 fighters were suspected of protecting Chinese nuclear submarines that were operating in that area.

20 February 2009: two Chinese PLAAF J-10A fighters intercepted three Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters flying close to the Senkaku Islands, and locked their missiles onto the Japanese fighters. After a three minute stand-off, the Japanese fighters returned to Japanese air space. The Japanese government stated it was an act of provocation.

7 September 2010: A Chinese fishing trawler collided with two Japanese Coast Guard patrol boats in disputed waters near the islands. The collisions occurred after the Japanese Coast Guard ordered the trawler to stop fishing. After the collisions, Japanese sailors boarded the Chinese vessel and arrested the captain.

Nuclear subs? I'd say China.

Why not ask the original people from Senkaku?

Of course, these islands belong to China and Taiwan.

Would the Chinese, and Taiwanese accept a share arrangement? If so, it seems like a good idea.

Japan was the first to officially incorporate the island and that is how international law works otherwise we will have claims for every past Empire saying that at one time or another this territory or that territory was theirs.

Indeed we do have that happening all over the world now. But I agree with you.

I think it formerly belonged to Mu and peaceful Mu. But Diaoyutai has become a keyword for Chinese citizens by which they can be "rightfully" and adamantly assertive with their government. Their political say excites more than unites the country and may stir the diastrophism of what China is or is not.

I say give it to me and I'll auction off the mineral rights to the most RESPONSIBLE bidder - and while I'm at it - I'll relocate the marine bases on Okinawa here also...problems solved...

Give them to Korea so they'll shut up about Takeshima.

There are rumors floating around that China's getting ready to claim Midway, Tahiti and Easter Island next.

There is no best claim or worst claim , those small rocks belong to Japan, thats it. Otherwise, it will be endless discussions, conflicts or even wars to re-draw world map here and there , around this already too many troubles planet.

Whoever made this poll is either biased or irresponsible when they offer up Japan, China, and Taiwan as if those are three separate entities (unless "China or Taiwan", without a comma, is meant to convey a single choice).

Mainland China's position is that Taiwan is a part of China. Support that if you will (I think it's bunkum), but

In any case, the Senkaku Islands have never been permanently inhabited, so it's difficult to say that they "belong" to any person, much less to any large nation-state.

Position-wise, they are far to the east of Yonaguni, well inside the point equidistant between Yonaguni and Taiwan which would make for a natural border point. The mere fact that Japan offered to explore resources jointly with China is a big concession if you ask me.

Here's an idea: put the looking-for-a-home Okinawan US bases on those islands!

More seriously, I'd like to see them given a neutral Okinawan name. There's no reason that a mainland Japanese name should be forced on an uninhabited Okinawan island chain, and certainly Okinawan is better than the Taiwanese "Tiaoyu", and definitely better than Mainland Chinese Pinyin "Diaoyu" which would make no sense at all. How about calling them "Nishi Inashi" ("North Ishigaki" in that island's language) or perhaps "Iri-Uchina" ("West Okinawa")?

" The mere fact that Japan offered to explore resources jointly with China is a big concession if you ask me. "

............... it shows Japan has a weak claim and they know it.

Ask the people who live there. They have the most to win or loose.

Any of the above aforementioned will just exploit the Island

why dont they divide them into sections to appease everybody

Ask the people who live there. They have the most to win or loose.

The islands are uninhabited. No-one lives there.

ThonTaddeo at 10:25 PM JST - 15th September More seriously, I'd like to see them given a neutral Okinawan name. >There's no reason that a mainland Japanese name

Senkaku shoto is a Japanese translation of the English name, Pinnacle Islands.

If Taiwan continues to claim these islands, Japan should prevent the Americans from using their Japanese bases from defending them from the Chinese. It is after all not our war. These island belong to the Okinawa Prefecture which is part of Japan.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-09/14/content_11297917.htm This article in the China daily is interesting reading.After reading it ,make your own conclusion.

I predict a fait accompli by China, when the time is right. The right time would probably be when China thinks it is strong enough to confront America's military in the East Pacific. Self Defense Force my foot, LAFF!

How about calling them "Nishi Inashi" ("North Ishigaki" in that island's language) or perhaps "Iri-Uchina" ("West Okinawa")?

Nishi is east btw not north.

Geez....anyone got a ruler and a marker??? Just divide the suckers up into three equal parts.

They should janken for it.

How about calling them "Nishi Inashi" ("North Ishigaki" in that island's language) or perhaps "Iri-Uchina" ("West Okinawa")?

Nishi is east btw not north.

In Japanese, maybe, but not in most Okinawan languages. Here' a short word list from Shuri:

http://www.koza.ne.jp/koza_index/uchina-guchi/words.html

East and west are "agari" and "iri" (or variations on that), and north and south are "nishi" and "hai" (or similar).

@YuriOtani: your military viewpoint in only good for joke because it base on wrong assumption: 1. The US force is not controlled by Japan, they are protecting Japan. 2. Japan Emperor bowed when he met general Macarthur, ROC(taiwan) leader hugged and shook hands with general Macarthur when they met. So you should know relationship level of each other. Japan has been working hard for many years to promote his position but the gap is still there! Taiwan is always regarded as friend by the US even he's small now. @Who owned the islands: Current issue is between China and Japan. Why people still mentioned Taiwan this time? Because deeply in the public's mind, they know these islands are part of Taiwan!

For centuries the Kingdom of the Ryukyu Islands owned the Senkaku Islands amd actually the Ryukyu Islands still own these Islands (rocks) I am sure the Ryukyu Islands would share with the Chinese, who they like very much, however Japan and China will never get along and Japan continually breeds a scab on thier nose. I have just returned from Okinawa and I am working to establish independence for the Ryukyu Islands and tomorrow I will be in Washington D.C. to strike a blow for the Okinawan people who are the salts of the earth

@yosun Taiwan is part of China.

A territorial dispute should, and can be solved quickly and easily. All you have to do is to use three simple scales (1-10, with 10 being the highest) judging each complainant's particular claims. One judging geography - where the land is situated. The second judging the disputed territory's history, and lastly one judging the population of the disputed area and their perferences. Add up the scores - the highest will have the higher claim. However because this is a value judgement, different opinions will have different scores.