Tokyo protests over Chinese vessel's incursion into Japanese EEZ

Chinese are always arrogant and of course never admit to wrong, so why bother with lodging a complaint? If the coast guard was more assertive and sent two or more vessels to escort them out of the waters they might think twice about doing it again, especially if the coast guard continued showing some backbone. You have to stand up to bullies, not talk nice to them. Next thing you know, the Chinese will be claiming the islands around Japan, and once they are in procession, you can forget getting them out. Like roaches, hard to eradicate!

Protest Japan! Else China after saying its just a rock will claim it!

Just lip service protest.

China knows Japan is powerless to do anything about it, so they'll let Japan lodge a protest and then have a laugh over it later.

Super hype is not helpful. Even it is EEZ, then what ? Northeast Asia is one nation, as simple as that.

China has said that Okinotori is just "rock" and rejects Japan's claim that it is a base point for the country's EEZ.

I have said this before and I will say it again.

If Japan is serious about its territorial claims, it needs to forget the nice-nice diplomatic approach. China sure doesn't worry about such niceties.

What Japan needs to do is send a fleet of dredging ships down to Okinotori and build it into a proper island, complete with a port, airstrip and a military installation. Install radar, install ground-to-air and ground-to-ship missile batteries, base 2 coast guard cutters there and a few JASDF fighters to boot.

THAT is what China has done in the South China Sea, despite repeated protests by other nations.

If Japan is not willing to do that, then they will eventually crumble before a determined China! Because diplomatic protests meaning nothing to China.

"Northeast Asia is one nation, as simple as that."

Akie, your comment is naive and embarrassingly nonsensical.

Y Okitsu, actually Northeast Asia is even closer than one nation, it is one big family, as simple as that. For example, there are no psychological and physiological barriers for marriage among Northeast Asians, and genetically 100% compatible.

It is just a rock.

But is acknowledged by all - including China - as a Japanese rock., which allows Japan to claim a 12 nautical mile territory surrounding the said rock.

What it can not claim - if it follows the Law of the Sea as most modern democracies do - is a 200 nautical mile EEZ greater than the whole land mass of Japan.

One reason we don't hear much about Okinotori from the Japanese Govt is it would weaken it's opposition to the "Fake Islands" claimed by China.

Fake is Fake, regardless of who's claiming ownership.

And the article is not clear exactly where the Chinese boat was. More info required.

Northeast Asia is one nation, as simple as that.

Y Okitsu, actually Northeast Asia is even closer than one nation, it is one big family, as simple as that. For example, there are no psychological and physiological barriers for marriage among Northeast Asians, and genetically 100% compatible.

Wow. And which nation is this "one" nation? Let me guess, The People's Republic of China?! Of course that's what you mean and what 'some' Chinese government officials would want the world to believe.

@Akie. Totally agree, except if you read the other article about increasing foreign population and that will explode after the olympics.

@Akie - it's a lovely thought. Perhaps Japan could sail a research vessel around coastal areas of China and Korea to return some of that kindness.

ALmost, normally I don't answer trivial questions. But I will answer yours. Northeast Asia is Confucian nation, as simple as that. Actually, all East Asia is one big family, very friendly, polite, and harmonic family, based on Confucianism and Buddhism and Taoism.

Never going to matter until they start impounding ships and laying down stiff fines

Haaa Nemui, historically, there were no boundaries among Northeast Asians, as defined now. 2000 years ago, Japanese can even be employed as govt ministers at Chinese Palace. The concept of "country" was totally different than today's. Countries can cede territory as a gift of friendship. That is why I believe Northeast Asia is one and will become one, given sufficient time.

@Akie - not in our lifetimes.

That is why I believe Northeast Asia is one and will become one, given sufficient time.

Translation: Become one controlled by what is currently Communist China and that would be ruled with an iron fist out of Beijing!

Thanks, but no thanks!!

zones2surf, can you tell me another Northeast Asia on this planet ?

Haaa Nemui, there is only one Northeast Asia and it is present tense. I am not sure about your lifetime, already dead ?

Haaa Nemui, there is only one Northeast Asia and it is present tense. I am not sure about your lifetime, already dead ?

Don't be ridiculous. Continental Northeast Asia... Fine... Not ruled by one nation but by many. If you expect it to come together and be ruled as one nation, that will not happen in our lifetimes, if ever.

Okinotorishima isn't an island; it is a man-made concrete covering.

No other country on earth recognizes an EEZ around a man-made feature like Okinotorishima.

Japan claiming EEZ only loses its credibility with the rest of world and should drop it.

@oldman_13

China knows Japan is powerless to do anything about it

Actually China knows no country on earth will side with Japan on an EEZ claim around the Okinotorishima.

Neither Okinotorishima nor the artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea are eligible for a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. That's the law, no matter what China and Japan may claim.

Why are we even discussing about rules, recognition etc. China has shamelessly demonstrated it is antagonistic to the rules based order established by the US, and it will only observe rulings in its favour (which it proudly calls Chinese characteristics).

Forget about 'dealing', or how to 'deal' with China, because even if a deal is made China will reneg the deal when it suits them.

Immediately retort and get China busy on the defensive (like Trump did with tariffs on Chinese goods), consistently and repeatedly is the only way to make China realise the rules based order is its only option.

Countries can cede territory as a gift of friendship. That is why I believe Northeast Asia is one and will become one, given sufficient time.

And which countries can cede territory as a gift of friendship..?Oh, I know, I know!! Each and every one EXCEPT for almighty C H I N A. I would say dream on but I can't because that just simply sounds like a nightmare.

zones2surf, can you tell me another Northeast Asia on this planet ?

Irrelevant comment.

Japan is a sovereign nation, as is China, Korea and Taiwan.

Each appear strident in maintaining their individual claims over territory belonging to them.

And that includes Japan, when it comes to the Okinotori, the Senkakus, etc.

Backstabbing? From the Chinese?

For China, all of Japan is a "rock". They demand respect without giving it. Time for a slap.

Dear Japan,

China is saying the rock need anti ship missiles. This will make it not a rock according to Chinese policy.

please listen to China... I beg you..