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Japan to conduct island defense drill amid tension with China

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This is HOW every news agencies should say about Senkaku , as it seen in this article by the Reuters:

islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

While AFP and some other media new agencies like to cay " islands claimed by both sides " , and with those words, they make ground for China .

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Nenad JovanovićMay. 04, 2014 - 06:56PM JST This is HOW every news agencies should say about Senkaku , as it seen in this article by the Reuters: "islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China." While AFP and some other media new agencies like to cay " islands claimed by both sides " , and with those words, >they make ground for China

That is correct. Certain news agencies like AFP, Reuters, etc are so biased on the issue that that they practically present the Chines version of the story. . "which could even drag in the United States." is another example of presenting the erroneous image that the U.S. has no position on the matter 2 US Secretaries of Sate, 2 US Secretaries of Defense and the POTUS have stated that the US will defend the Senkakus.. Yet the news media persist in supporting China's psychological warfare http://www.stripes.com/news/top-marine-in-japan-if-tasked-we-could-retake-the-senkakus-from-china-1.277555 .

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Why is everyone making a fuss out of this?

Any and I mean all nations practices military drills to maintain efficiency, JSDF included. I would be shocked if they didn't.

People sees ghosts not because they are there but because people wants to see them. Nothing more nothing less.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Apparently, "tiny" seems to matter for China... Its only normal that Japan practices to defend a "tiny" peace of its sovereign territory

7 ( +12 / -5 )

to practice defending a tiny, useless island

to practice defending a tiny island with trillions in untapped natural resources within its EEZ

There. Fixed.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

@yosun

Logically unnecessary action and only waste of taxpayers' money! Those isles are actually under no one's really total control .

You like to suport China claims ? Because your words are like that, again putting doubt into who own the island, facts is that USA had the control of those island from the WWII to the1971 , when they gave Japan those islands under administrative control , so, that they thought its Taiwan territory, they had a chance for that to give back to them all those years, so, claiming it now by the Chiina and Taiwan is pointless . And for your assumptions of spending tax payers money, I think all over the world tax payers money is spended on same way , so , why so big fuss when Japan spend, while when other countries spend, its ok ? Its a way how all countries works . And if you are so concerned about money, then you should support the explotation of natural recurses that exist around Senkaku islands, that has around 25-30 bilion barrels of oil and gas, so, its a huge money, the one that could help Japan economy with huge boost, because thats something that today Japan is importing at huge price , because of the shutdown of nuclear plants from 2011 .

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Good for Japan.

This is what happens when you get bullied incessantly for no good reason.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Guru29May. 05, 2014 - 12:59PM JST But of course to the Japanese fascists, those treaties are nothing more than rubbish.

Japanese fascist lost power in 1945. Chinese fascists are in power today.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

to practice defending a tiny island with trillions in untapped natural resources within its EEZ

to practice defending a tiny island with trillions in untapped natural resources within its EEZ, where any sort of armed conflict between these two Asian behemoths could spark an international crisis and tip the world into a dangerous new era, and one which would also draw the US via its treaties into a conflagration it can ill afford but has to show some sort of backbone after being seen as weak gutless against recent actions by Russia in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

There. Fixed.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

In Latin: "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum", means "If you want peace, prepare for war." Japan wants peace...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

EqualityMay. 04, 2014 - 10:13PM JST Not a very bright idea. It's like making faces at a bully from behind your friend who is there to protect you. What >purpose does it serve, other than to inflame tensions even more? I think China's posturing is just as bad, if not worse, >but the Japan government and SDF know full well that if China invaded its islands, the SDF maritime forces wouldn't >stand a chance against China's constantly increasing military might. Abe would be on the phone to Obama faster than >hungry dog on a piece of meat

LOL. That's what the US-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty is for and it was signed in back in 1960, Obviously you prefer that Japan do nothing and watch while it becomes a new Chinese province. Even Taiwan isn't taking it lying down,

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Fox Cloud LeleanMay. 05, 2014 - 10:33AM JST "Guru, how many times must you be told that China as in the Republic of China, the only recognized government of China at the time who fought Japan 1937-1945, was one of the allied powers that determined that the Senkakus were "minor islands"???

I get the feeling that Guru29 is a spambot, seeing as the only posts of theirs I have ever seen are the constant >repetitions of these post-war treaties,

Why does the MODERATOR allow the constant lengthy repetitious posting of an obviously copied & pasted content under multiple article threads? Looking up Guru29's posting history supports your statement.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Guru29

And as sole occupier of Japan and trustees of those islands, the United States returned them to Japanese sovereignty. Your "conditions" of the Potsdam Declaration have been fulfilled, even if China nor the PRC were invited to participate. That they were returned after trusteeship means that the US recognizes the islands as Japanese territory, even if they won't say it outright.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The common sense is that there is little real practical value for this kind of defense drills for Japan except for provoking similar response if not even more aggravations from Chinese regime.

I'm going to argue semantics and say that, while the drills are necessary and practical, their publication is not.

In fact, Russia and China have just announced a joint-naval exercises close to the disputed Senkaku islands,

While no doubt impressive to look at, even combined the Russian Far East and PRC navies are no match for one US carrier group, let alone onshore defenses.

For those people who believe that the US would have same degrees of eagerness to participate armed conflicts for those remote and barren islets

No one sane is ever eager for war, but that didn't stop the British in either 1914 or 1939. In each, they intervened in a purely Continental war merely to uphold their honor as allies to Belgium and Poland. it was in no way in their national interest to do that; indeed Britain may still have its empire if it had left Europe to its own devices.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There is no way for the US government to determine the issue of Japanese sovereignty alone without agreement by the other 3 countries namely China, Russia and UK

They could, and they did.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There is no problem with China or North Korea that couldn't be handled with open, honest communication.

Britain tried open and honest communication with Hitler when he rose to power and started annexing other countries. How, pray tell, did that play out? The US and EU tried open and honest communication when Russia moved to annex Crimea. How did that play out? Words are cheap and meaningless. Actions speak louder. Countries like China and North Korea can ignore communications easily enough. But China can't ignore half of Asia, and the US, when they unite against China to stop them from claiming Japan's territory. If China keeps on pushing to take the Senkaku Islands, that's exactly what will happen.

I wish I could be out there to witness the defence drill. It's quite interesting to watch military training exercises. All I get to watch are the occasional fly-overs of jets from RAF Anglesey. You can guarantee that China will be watching the drills very closely. They'll want to take note of how real training is done, and they'll want to see what real military ships and aircraft look like. Go right ahead with the defence drill Japan, and ignore China's wasted and petulant words of protest. Show them that Japan won't roll over and take China's bullying lying down.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"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."

Guru, how many times must you be told that China as in the Republic of China, the only recognized government of China at the time who fought Japan 1937-1945, was one of the allied powers that determined that the Senkakus were "minor islands"???

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I think Japan should conduct these drills on the Senkaku Islands, and set up a monitoring post while there at it.

That would make it clear for China, Russia or any other potential invaders to go away and stop whining.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Guru, how many times must you be told that China as in the Republic of China, the only recognized government of China at the time who fought Japan 1937-1945, was one of the allied powers that determined that the Senkakus were "minor islands"???

I get the feeling that Guru29 is a spambot, seeing as the only posts of theirs I have ever seen are the constant repetitions of these post-war treaties, each post ignoring the fact that the Senkaku Islands are minor islands, and were determined to be Japan's minor islands. Either that, or they are brainwashed by the CPC government's propaganda/being paid to spread said propaganda. In either case, they are sadly mistaken. The Senkaku Islands are Japan's sovereign territory, and Japan will defend them fom China.

It won't be long I imagine until China complains about this drill, labelling it as an unneccesary act of provocation, or as another sign of "Japan's increasing militarism" (which doesn't actually exist). China will, naturally, escalate tensions further by conducting drills close to the Senkaku Islands, and flying bombers as close to Japan's airspace as they dare. China is becoming quite predictable as they play the same old tune again and again. Change the effing record China, for everyone's sake.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

tokyo-sta rMAY. 04, 2014 - 05:20PM JST

to practice defending a tiny island with trillions in untapped natural resources

How deep to explore and send the untapped natural resources on the shore from off shore? If the dept is more than 5000 km, no mining company will assume that it is commercially liable. If that off shore mining project will cost trillions for getting back trillions, it is more economic for leaving untapped natural resources under sea instead of herculian effort for untapping. If that island can make trillions, US has not returned back to Japan for administration for commercial interest. Fixed!

armed conflict between these two Asian behemoths could spark an international crisis

Obviously many posters do not realize that PRC and Taiwan ships have come and go there for many decades for fishing interest. Although Japan has been unhappy, it has been impotent for geographic reality. So far no gun shot has fired from all parties. Besides that not many Marines can not land on that rocky island. Without ground force from any nation, anyone claiming as real landlord is largely symbolic. When JT posters get old and grey, media will be still keep inflaming as the world will be ended because of Senkaku conflict.

The tension of that rocky and inhabited island is more about national pride rather than fantasy of getting untapped trillions worth of resources. More likely end of the world may come from Ukraine and Syria which has manufactured blood shed and body bags.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Time to remind Guru29 his argument about the Potsdam declaration is invalid because commie republic didn't exist and his favorite quote from the Joint Communique actually is:

The Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. 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 Postsdam Proclamation.

Thus, irrelevant to the issue of the Senkakus.

So, I'll correct it for you:

The US government determined the issue of Japanese sovereignty alone.

Don't be a sore loser :P

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Principles....!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Once again pro chinese propagandists try to twist the facts. Japan is defending its own territory as all of the other neighbors of China are having to do in the same way...China is trying to grab whatever they can making false claims based on nothing at all....

Japan has every right to prepare, train and defend. It is what any self respecting country does. Words cannot change facts, the Senkaku islands re Japanese, now and will be forever. China better just get over it and get on taking care of their own business. and stop interferring in other countries lives.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan, I am with you. Don't get bullied by the shameless Commie Chinese regime.....

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Perhaps the SDF is preparing for the reclimation of Liancourt Rocks.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I would rather read that they were having drills designed to ensure the mainland is secure in the event some outlying island were taken.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I only hope no Chinese or Japanese youngsters would sacrifice for those stupid politician. Any troop land on these isles would be terminated easily by the other side in today's war!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@bertie

There is no problem with China or North Korea that couldn't be handled with open, honest communication.

Concerning N. Korea Everyone has been doing it and Japan repeatedly offered food and aid on numerous occasions and what has Japan gotten in return?

The trouble is that off stage there is that bastion of Freeedom, the US of A, trying to create the same kind of "Pax Americana" in Asia that they have in the Middle East.

And your proof of that is?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

with trillions in untapped natural resources within its EEZ

And yet not worth one drop of blood. Those supposed resources remain untapped for a reason.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Nenad JovanovićMay. 04, 2014 - You like to suport China claims ?

If you trail this website long enough, you would know that I always support "peace" should be only answer for this dispute and I object any behavior which seems against peace over there no matter it's caused by CN or JP.

And if you are so concerned about money, then you should support the explotation of natural recurses that exist around Senkaku islands...

I did concern about money and I always support that all involved parties should cooperate to develop the isles and don't let sovereignty problem cause conflict which would be chaos for the whole area and waste taxpayers' money from all countries.

that they thought its Taiwan territory

It's definitely Taiwan's territory, Taiwan let the US to manage the isles after WWII simply because of cold war, I don't think people could judge old era things base on situation of nowadays!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

There is no problem with China or North Korea that couldn't be handled with open, honest communication.

The trouble is that off stage there is that bastion of Freeedom, the US of A, trying to create the same kind of "Pax Americana" in Asia that they have in the Middle East.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Logically unnecessary action and only waste of taxpayers' money! Those isles are actually under no one's really total control, and China won't be so stupid to send men to land there just like japan doesn't send men to stay there as well. Don't forget it's era of button war and unbelivably someone still use 50-year ago strategy! So what this drill supposed to do for except further worsen regional relationship?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Its only normal that Japan practices to defend a "tiny" peace of its sovereign territory

Claiming the Senkakus can hardly be considered a peaceful act since it is a violation of the Conditions of surrender for Japan in WWII (Potsdam Declaration) which says:

"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."

And according to Article 13 of the same document, the price for defying the Conditions of surrender is "prompt and utter destruction".

And Japan did accept the Conditions of surrender in many official documents such as the Japanese Instrument of Surrender:

"We, acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Government and the Japanese imperial General Headquarters, hereby accept the provisions set forth in the declaration issued by the heads of the Governments of the United States, China and Great Britain on 26 July 1945, at Potsdam, and subsequently adhered to by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which four powers are hereafter referred to as the Allied Powers."

Therefore, it is very clear that all the 3 parties involved, that's China, Japan and the US all agree that Japan deserves "prompt and utter destruction" for claiming the Senkakus (territories that have not been determined to be part of Japan by US, UK, China and Russia.)

So why is Japan still claiming territories it lost to the Allied in various WWII peace treaties/agreements even when it knows the price for doing so is "prompt and utter destruction"?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

The common sense is that there is little real practical value for this kind of defense drills for Japan except for provoking similar response if not even more aggravations from Chinese regime.

In fact, Russia and China have just announced a joint-naval exercises close to the disputed Senkaku islands, (in your face style ) scheduled in the later parts of May with an aim to send messages to the US and Japan regarding to Ukraine and territorial disputes in East China Sea.

The sad things is that the ultra-nationalists both in Japan and China are apparently obsessing with disputed Senkaku islands; as a direct results, they are becoming he captivated audiences targeted for belligerence and brainwash.

For those people who believe that the US would have same degrees of eagerness to participate armed conflicts for those remote and barren islets as the right-wring warmongers wish for, they either live in a dental ( the fact of matter is: they are unfortunately) or they have no idea how American public and the US congress would think or do when it comes to those rocks.

In this world there are so many noble causes which are worth to fight for; but shedding innocent people’s blood for those rocks should definitely not on the list.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

They could, and they did.

Then why does the US say it takes no position on the sovereignty of those islands and it is up to the respective parties to resolve the issue by themselves:

"The United States has made no claim to the Senkaku Islands and considers that any conflicting claims to the islands are a matter for resolution by the parties concerned."

Obviously, what you just said is only the view of the Japanese fascists and no one else.

The truth is the US is not in a position to determine the issue of Japanese sovereignty alone as long as the US doesn't rescind the Potsdam Declaration (conditions of surrender for Japan) it co-drafted with China which says 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.

Looking up Guru29's posting history supports your statement.

Those WWII peace treaties/agreements are the foundation of peace in east Asia and were established with the cost of tens of millions of lives.

But of course to the Japanese fascists, those treaties are nothing more than rubbish.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Not a very bright idea. It's like making faces at a bully from behind your friend who is there to protect you. What purpose does it serve, other than to inflame tensions even more? I think China's posturing is just as bad, if not worse, but the Japan government and SDF know full well that if China invaded its islands, the SDF maritime forces wouldn't stand a chance against China's constantly increasing military might. Abe would be on the phone to Obama faster than hungry dog on a piece of meat. Abe and his government are playing a dangerous game, the ultimate stakes of which are the lives of millions of people.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Your "conditions" of the Potsdam Declaration have been fulfilled

If Japan were willing to comply to the Conditions of surrender for Japan in WWII (Potsdam Declaration) like what you said and agreed that it deserves "prompt and utter destruction" for claiming territories that have not been determined to be part of Japan by US, UK, China and Russia, why then is it reclaiming territories it lost to the Allied such as the Senkakus and Kurile Islands?

That they were returned after trusteeship means that the US recognizes the islands as Japanese territory

I think you are confusing the Ryukyu Islands with the Senkakus which were never part of the territories of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

As for the former territories of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the agreement reached between the US and China during the Cairo Conference is to hand it over to the UN for decolonization (UN trusteeship system):

"During a private dinner with the Chiangs on the evening of November 23, President Roosevelt asked Chiang China's intentions regarding the Ryukyu Islands. According to the memorandum written by the Chinese side (Roosevelt's special assistant Harry Hopkins was present but did not apparently take notes), "The President referred to the question of the Ryukyu Islands and enquired more than once whether China would want the Ryukyus." To this, Chiang reportedly replied that "China would be agreeable to joint occupation of the Ryukyus by China and the United States and, eventually, joint administration by the two countries under the trusteeship of an international organization (UN trusteeship.)""

And the UN trusteeship system is even confirmed in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty:

Article 2 (d)

(d) Japan renounces all right, title and claim in connection with the League of Nations Mandate System, and accepts the action of the United Nations Security Council of 2 April 1947, extending the trusteeship system to the Pacific Islands formerly under mandate to Japan.

And Article 3

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 deg. north latitude (that's Ryukyu Islands.)

The fact is the UN trusteeship system did help many former colonies throughout the world to gain independence or self-government since its foundation as can be seen from its website:

http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgov.shtml

And as sole occupier of Japan and trustees of those islands, the United States returned them to Japanese sovereignty.

There is no way for the US government to determine the issue of Japanese sovereignty alone without agreement by the other 3 countries namely China, Russia and UK since both the US and Japanese government agree that

"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."

And the US government did deny what you said in a statement issued somewhere in 1971.

I get the feeling that Guru29 is a spambot, seeing as the only posts of theirs I have ever seen are the constant repetitions of these post-war treaties

You are welcome to debate with me and to prove me wrong that Japan isn't reclaiming territories it lost to the Allied in the various WWII peace treaties/agreements. For example, why does Japan reclaim the Kurile Islands when the San Francisco Peace Treaty says the following:

Article 2 (c) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands

And even when the agreements of the Yalta Conference say this:

The Kurile Islands shall be handed over to the Soviet Union.

So when will Japan comply with the various WWII peace treaties/agreements?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

to practice defending an island

to practice defending a tiny, useless island

There. Fixed.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

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