Japanese nationalists proud of isle landing

An amphibious assault on a deserted island...

I am just amazed how quickly all the big words about NO MORE WAR etc from the beginning of this month are forgotten. As soon as some clever politicians stir up nationalistic emotions everything about peace is forgotten. And all the future business chances are down the drain.

What did they swim all of one meter? Looks like they sat comfortably in boats for the most part. I bet they couldn't have done it otherwise.

Numbskulls.

An exultant Kosaka beamed widely. “This trip was a great success,” he said.

Oh? What did it achieve? I'd like to hear that spelled out. I only see evidence of a politician not being a diplomat.

"Anyway, the Coast Guard should have escorted the ships out of the area and left the fools on the island to starve."

JCG is to protect Japan and its people. No matter how foolish these nationalists are, they still entitle to such protection. Think about it this way, is it NOT right for a doctor to save a dying homicide criminal?

How is it a success? It just got China all riled up.

Yet they were making fun of the Koreans/Chinese.

It looks like a brawl of one nationalist group of one country against another. Nationalism and chauvinism must be suppressed before they become out of control and small skirmishes flared up to real conflicts.

There should be an international forum at a citizen's level to discuss this issue. Simply shouting at each other, "the islands are our territory," won't solve the problem by any means at all. Both sides must be cool enough to listen to the other's say. ICJ may be the best venue for such discussion but, strangely enough, they won't take up an issue filed by private sectors nor unless two concerned countries jointly filed the case. That's really strange.

btw, the islands are near taiwan and off Ishigaki - which is not historically Japanese but belong to the Okinawa

... I guess they are getting sponsored to divert / create media attention away from real issues facing Japan

Economy failing / corrupt feudalistic government and radiation ...

10 hours west seems quite far. Why sleepless? Who told them not to sleep or does thar make them sound like heroes?

^ I agree, this sycophantic tripe was written in the style of romantic heroism.

It was just a jolly-boys outing for a bunch of rabid, chest-beating nationalist flat-heads.

I wonder how proud they are to know they followed China to do it, and came in second place.

These people are so stupid. At the end of the day, Japan is completely reliant on the US for defense against a strong Chinese military response. In spite of what the Americans say, do you really think the US will risk a war with China over some islands claimed by Japan? Not when the US public is war weary AND China holds $1.2 trillion of US debt.

Paper tigers need to sit down and shut up.

Funniest part is, not a single old man in a black truck was amongst the swimmers that made such radicals proud.

....someone wake me up when this is all over..

Kosaka's cap with its elastic band reminds me of an elementary school child's cap.

drop both groups there. destroy the ships and let em fight their own war there

As long as none of this leads to bloodshed its all kind of funny. I'm thinking of swimming to an island myself this August and claiming it. Maybe I'll get a free plane trip home?

"Why sleepless? Who told them not to sleep or does thar make them sound like heroes?"

Wasn't there a woman on board ....

An exultant Kosaka beamed widely.

“This trip was a great success,” he said.

He is right. FOR HIM. This just makes him more popular. He is just using this for his own political gain. China allows this kind of stupid thing to happen. Japan. You are supposed to be better than this. All you are doing is creating more trouble. Yes, I know the Chinese did it first a month ago or something like that. But that might not have happened of politicians here had shut their mouths. This is not an important issue. This is just Japan is stooping down to China's level with all this nonsense that it started. Fix the REAL problem s that are plaguing this country. Fix relations with China. Then bring this up. This is just not the right time. Hell, wait for a new regime if you have to. Because when push comes to shove, Japan you will not be able to stand up to China's might. I hate that. But it is true. Knock it off!

Ossan - Nice pop shot, and unrealistic. Do you actually think that the US is going to do anything to defend those itty-bitty islands? You actually think that the US is going to get into a fight over them for Japan? How about using some common sense before jumping to any conclusions? Hmmmm. No offense intended but to believe that is just ....... I can't even describe it. Not going to happen. No way. No how.

Well,t he reality is that they haven't occupied the islands at all because they have not been a sea power until just recently. They didn't occupy those islands for that reason alone.

Now, they have a navy and are building it up, and yes they will get more arrogant, that goes without saying, of course. But the way to fix the issue is not by blabbing away your intentions for the sole purpose of furthering your political future like Maehara did so eloquently and diplomatically (sic). The way to do it is through diplomacy. Find a common ground or something like that and do it behind closed doors. I said before that this was what was going to happen when Maehara decided to try to further is own career with that ignorant comment, but I have long been against expansion of the Chinese in the South China Sea. They have ignored UNCLOS which they are signatories to and basically are claiming well into other countries' EEZ's, if I am not wrong. I detest how the Chinese are acting. But what is worse is creating an international problem by saying something stupid that is going to create problems. That is what I am talking about it. It doesn't matter who they belong to. Use them together. We all have to live in this world, and I hate when Japanese politicians resort to what I call, Chinese tactics of saber rattling.

I understand their passion but do they want to start a war? A war is the last thing we need now.

Specially now, with JP griping over the US' presence in Okinawa. If China challenges JP then they'll begging the US to stay in Okinawa.

To be honest, it would make since if china waited for the US to relocate those soldiers.

The US may not directly involve itself into the war between Japan-China (if); however, unlimited supplies of military equipment and food supplies to Japan can drag the war as long as possible. BTW, it's a good business chance for US suppliers, and able to let #2 and #3 in the world econ to drag themselves down before join in. Killing two birds with one stone, ahh...the same tactic that was used in previous world wars.

Russia, on the other hand, wouldn't want china to win the war. Chinese leader ain't that stupid to start a nuclear war, They are still lacking way behind the amount of inter-continent ICBM and their missile defense system is non-exist. Once a nuclear war start, all reasons become BS. They know so well that once they have started it, it's the end of themselves as well.

And off they went on the Good Ship Lollipop.

You know what this is?

This is a diversion. It is a diversion away from TEPCO and Fukushima and the dangers of nuclear power.

“These islands are ours. Asia’s future is at stake,”

Proud? Yeah, they are also proud of their anime idol doll collection though, despite the fact it stems from not being able to get near a real woman!

Anyway, the Coast Guard should have escorted the ships out of the area and left the fools on the island to starve.

"They should take their 20 boat flotilla to Hokkaido and try this stunt with the islands claimed by Japan and Russia. Don't expect them home for dinner!"

i take that as your compliment on how civilized Japan is compared to Russia in handling of illegal trespassing. Otherwise, those 14 chinese activists shouldn't expected to be home for dinner either.

What to say about that? Diversion from real issues most likely!

Paper tigers need to sit down and shut up

Exactly, Webster! Or you might get lit up. The US is not going to protect Japan over this issue. No way. By the way, I thought I was living in a peace loving country. All I see is a train wrecker going to happen. Japan needs to knock it off and not allow ANYONE to land on the islands at all and keeps it mouth shut on the issue. LIke I said before, China will escalate the situation if you don't knock it off. I don't think Japan can handle that.

Maybe we could round up all the old nationalist dinosaurs and ship them to another deserted island somewhere? Then maybe send Ishihara too and he could be the king of dinosaur island?

I've heard tell the 'World Court " would be hearing All Sides in this !they won't get anywhere at all Greed is King,All Around.

“This is undoubtedly Japanese territory,” Eiji Kosaka told AFP after he and other nationalists swam to the island to raise national flags.

“On the mountain we found (the ruins of) Japanese-style houses that had places for drying fish.”

Of all the nonsense. Undoubtedly? How about this?

Records of these islands date back to as early as the 15th century. Adopted by the Chinese Imperial Map of the Ming Dynasty. But undoubtedly, these belong to japan? They belong to Taiwan. They are much closer to Taiwan and China then they are to Japan. There is nothing undoubtedly here. The Japanese central government formally annexed the islands on 14 January 1895. Around 1900, Japanese entrepreneur Koga Tatsushirō constructed a bonito processing plant on the islands with 200 workers. The business failed in 1940 and the islands have remained deserted ever since The occupation of the islands wasn't exactly welcomed but was at a time when little could be done.

Now, I am not going to argue the specifics at all. I think this boat has been ridden around the world and back a million times over on this site and so many others.

How about just using the islands together? Get the pride out of the situation. I had it then. You had it then. This says this and that says that is not going to help and hasn't. so just share the damn things.

You actually think that the US is going to get into a fight over them for Japan? How about using some common sense before jumping to any conclusions? Hmmmm. No offense intended but to believe that is just ....... I can't even describe it. Not going to happen. No way. No how.

That's an issue that has been debated for years now in which China hasn't called yet. Considering what China has been doing in South China Sea, if they truely believe U.S. would not be involved, they would of occupied the islands by now when it was vulnerable during the 70's~00's. Let's be real. Chinese are sending "activists" to Senkaku while they're sending military units to South China Sea islands. And please bear in mind that other SE countries are using military in that area while Senkaku has been virtually unoccupied for over 40 years.

Sandiegoluv

It's not the "actual" land worth of the island that's important. It's the ocean EEZ that can be claimed/extended under UNCLOS that worth a lot of money that China wants. It's the South East of the EEZ that China wants but cannot claim. It's the Japan's half of th EEZ of Senkaku (West of Senkaku) that China wants.

Well,t he reality is that they haven't occupied the islands at all because they have not been a sea power until just recently. They didn't occupy those islands for that reason alone.

Did you miss the part about "other SE countries are using military in that area " while Chinese are sending "activists" to Senkaku??

Believe it or not, occupying Senkaku is easy as it stands for there are no military defense there. In fact, the Coast Guards are poorly numbered in that area.

And another thing I wanted to mention is that notice that this recent Hong Kong activist campaign was pre-announced days before. In other words, it's merely a nationalist political message that China wanted to convey to their own people while at the same time, warn Japan that they were coming so that Coast Guards can be prepared to arrest them. Hardly anthing remotely close to the situation/tactics in South China Sea.

Nigel, I agree with you. I am not arguing with you at all. I am just saying that China was not a naval threat until recently. That is why they weren't as arrogant as they are now. Not because of the US Navy. They would have been blown out of the water a long time ago if there was no threat of nuclear war. They just didn't have the naval means to claim those islands at all. Understand?

And yes, I am aware that only "activists" are going to the Senkaku islands and that is by design but I do have to disagree with the reasons that China has done somethings differently in relation to the Senkaku islands. Basically put, the other nations are small insignificant nations to the Chinese that they really don't have to worry about. They have to tread a little more careful when it comes to the Senkaku islands. Such actions there would be exposed internationally. While other issues have gone virtually unnoticed by most people. "Sansha" is a great example of that. How many people have read or even heard about that? Seriously, I just knew about it because I am against Chinese expansion into the SCS area. But for the most part that issue was not even a blip on the international screen.

Well, I don't believe for a moment that the US will do squat about it and China would be stupid to believe that as well. The US is not going to risk nuclear war with China over some small islands that most people in the US don't even know exists, especially now with the political climate that is in the US and the disdain that most people feel over the current wars where our young are dying for a purpose that was concocted by George Bush, i.e, Iraq. And they sure are not going to give Obama the means to fight that war, either. You can believe all you want about SOFA and the treaties and all that, but two super powers will never openly butt heads. But keep believing it if you want. This American does not think so at all.

Fact is though, that what Maehara did was something that he shouldn't have. Knowing what is going on China, as I am assuming he must have, it would have been prudent for him to shut his mouth until after the communist party elections. Not feed into them. He knows that the Chinese are going to use that for their own political gain, but went ahead and did it anyway. What for and for whom? HIM and his political aspirations. Are you doubting that? Do you doubt that he should not have said what he said? Was it in Japan's best interest to say that? Aren't we in a worse situation now than before that?

The US is not going to risk nuclear war with China over some small islands tha

Neither will China. What China sees is an embarrassing defeat in the Navy.

What NAVY?? LOL They don't really have one. Which is why they haven't taken the islands over as of yet. Not because of the US Navy. But, when they do get one, oh boy. Then we will really have trouble. It is not "if" it is "when". So, why not play nice, and develop it together?

I think that if China had a Navy they would take the islands. They know that the US is not going to get into it with them. Sorry, the US has more sense and the Chinese know that. They will take advantage of that.

What NAVY?? LOL They don't really have one. Which is why they haven't taken the islands over as of yet. Not because of the US Navy. But, when they do get one, oh boy. Then we will really have trouble. It is not "if" it is "when". So, why not play nice, and develop it together?

True. Their aircraft carrier lacks landing cables because the technology is from Russia and china pi$$Ed them off for some trivial spat. The point I'm making here is they will be always two steps behind. It's not the quantity, but quality they say.

Yes, quality not quantity. I am always telling people that here in Japan. Nice point. I don't think they will always be two steps behind. Financially, with the more power they get, they will overcome that hurdle. It may take some more time, but not that much. I hope I am wrong.

Here we go! Pointless and painlessly obvious Of the lost face in Japan.

They should take their 20 boat flotilla to Hokkaido and try this stunt with the islands claimed by Japan and Russia. Don't expect them home for dinner!

For them, the humiliation of a landing by activists loyal to China on Aug 15, was keenly felt; the date was no coincidence - the 67th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.

The Chinese activists learnt that the Japanese were planning on arriving there today (Aug 19) and thus set out to get there earlier. If the Japanese don't want activities taking place on Aug 15 then I suggest they also refrain from taking action near this date.

The two Japanese Coast Guard ships nearby repeatedly broadcast demands that the activists leave the island, but without the authority to arrest on land they were powerless

I'm sure they would have tried a lot harder to stop the Japanese activists had they been flying a different flag. They knew they were coming.

smithinjapanAug. 19, 2012 - 08:42PM JST I wonder how proud they are to know they followed China to do it, and came in second place.

Ths was the third landing by Japanese nationals on the Senkakus this year. People landing on their own island generally isn't considered newsworthy.

@ubikwit Great post and so true. Share the resources. Don't fight over it.

sandiegoluvAug. 20, 2012 - 02:11AM JST "Paper tigers need to sit down and shut up" Exactly, Webster! Or you might get lit up. The US is not going to protect Japan over this issue. No way.

The Sec of State has already declared that the Senkakus fall under U.S. Defense parameters under the US-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty. Japanese control of he Senkakus is in US. interests. Not only are we opposing aggressive Chinese expansion in the East China Sea but we are doing so in the South China Sea as well. Best to actually study the big picture before reaching any conclusions.

Nigel, I agree with you. I am not arguing with you at all. I am just saying that China was not a naval threat until recently. That is why they weren't as arrogant as they are now. Not because of the US Navy. They would have been blown out of the water a long time ago if there was no threat of nuclear war. They just didn't have the naval means to claim those islands at all. Understand?

China has been arrogant for a long time sandiegoluv. Your assessment(additional Navy buildup) should be a concern but I believe what it boils down to is when push comes to shove, U.S. will indeed be involved pusuant to the current SOFA agreement. The current agreement between U.S. and Japan is solid because not only U.S. recognize Japan as the most favorable host (2004 report % of money received), it has been a very key strategical base to many operations in Asia and Middle East. Heck. it's even a home to an aircraft carrier(only aircraft carrier to make Japan their home base, USS George Washington). If U.S. breaks this agreement, everything that they built for will be gone.

It sure would be nice to see someone come up with a creative solution to this problem that allows the resources to which all parties concerned have a not unreasonable basis upon which to stake their claim, and in a manner that doesn't leave anyone feeling cheated.

Pipe dream?

These incidents are becoming more than a distraction, as they are putting nationalistic activism in the spotlight, and I don't see that as promoting an environment conducive to productive relations between these mutually important trade partners, neighbors, etc.

72 hours ahead of Japanese arrival

Now China can appeal to the United Nation Security council her legitimacy of owning the Diayoutai island is 72 hours again of japanese arrival of the island in the game of 'island racing'!