China could step up armament, provocations near Senkakus, think tank warns

evian1,

You seem to argue the Senkakus/Diaoyutais belong to Taiwan because of their vicinity to Taiwan. Can the distance be a factor determining the sovereignty of an offshore island? If so, how do you justify that Kinmen Island or Quemoy belongs to Taiwan?

Japan should return Senkaku/ Diaoyutai to original owner Taiwan whom you have illegally annexed to Ryukyu in 1898. this island is 170 miles from Taiwan shore, 330 miles from China Zhejiang shore, 1000 miles from nearest Japan main 4 islands. Japan under its imperialist army had destroyed all title ownership during its occupation in Taiwan.

desert tortoise

Chinese power generation and control equipment is not permitted to be purchased by US power utilities. The rule was imposed during the Trump administration and the Biden Admin has kept the rules in place pending a review to determine if the current rules are effective and legally enforceable.

Got a reference for that? Last thing I read was: “Executive Order 13920 of May 1, 2020 (Securing the United States Bulk-Power System), is hereby suspended for 90 days.”

Suspended means not in force, or not? And if it gets back in force after 3 months we do know, but it is doubtful.

Build The wall

Japans problem is not China it its marriage to the USA. Few bare rocks could be shared or had if it was not for China refusing not Japan but the USA. To China Japan is a competing neighbor, USA is a unfriendly arrogant invader from the other side of the ocean. Same goes for the Kuril Islands, Russia will never give a chance to the Americans to build their bases there.

"A cornered mouse will bite a cat!". 

So what? A big fat Norwegian rat bit my dog on the lip as it pounced. The rat didn't survive the encounter and it didn't stop my dog from killing more rats. Gooood doggie! If the PLAN is stupid enough to pick a fight with the US Navy they are in for a world of hurt. I have seen both navies up close and personal, the JMSDF too. The Chinese haven't fought a naval war in centuries and the last time didn't go well for them. The Brits pretty much too care of them in about five minutes of intense combat. What I have seen of their ships tells me they have no experience taking hits, putting out fires, controlling flooding and limping a damaged ship home. Hits that US or Japanese warships would survive are going to easily sink Chinese ships. You walk through a US or Japanese warship and you see the lessons of WWII everywhere in the abundant damage control equipment, compartmentation, heavy duty watertight doors and hatches, lack of things that burn easily etc, quite unlike the Chinese ships I have seen. The Harbin had plywood partitions for office and living spaces inside the water tight compartments such as they were (very similar to what you find on some Russian subs on display in the US). On a US or Japanese ship those same partitions are steel and aluminum. You look at images of PLAN ships dolled up for celebrations and you see the knuckleheads painted over the seals on gun access panels, painted over the elevation sleeve on the main gun, etc., stuff that the Chief Boatswain's Mate would chew serious butt over in the US Navy, followed by the Deck Div O giving everyone a ration of grief. I see photos of PLAN combat centers in their ships with roll around office chairs and you know this navy hasn't spent much time in a big North Pacific swell. Roll around chairs do not work very well when the deck is pitching and heaving underneath.

CCP companies back in the US power grid, the "Confucius institute" back in US universities, and lots of purchases of CCP products on the horizon thanks to the "green" agenda.... stand by for more.

Sigh. Chinese power generation and control equipment is not permitted to be purchased by US power utilities. The rule was imposed during the Trump administration and the Biden Admin has kept the rules in place pending a review to determine if the current rules are effective and legally enforceable. I think you will find most powerplants in the US are made by Solar Turbine (a division of Caterpillar with their manufacturing plant located in the old Ryan Aircraft plant in San Diego), Babcock and Wilcox or Westinghouse. There are a grand total of 52 Confucian Institutes in the US according to the GAO study of them, down from over 100 just a couple of years ago. The universities in which they are located according to the GAO retain control of them and many have stipulations regarding their independence and academic freedom. Many host discussions on things the CCP doesn't like to talk about , like Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan.

dougthehead

To the people who say in the comments. That Japan establish some kind of human presence, in the Senkakus Islands. Whether civilian or military. They simply don't know what the issue is about.

1) The islands are too small to harbor human life.

Is that a recent fact, or was that also the case when there was a Bonito fish factory on the island?

Japan is a signatory to the Agreement that makes makes recognition of ICJ jurisdiction, and acceptance of ICJ rulings mandatory. This means that if any country brings a claim against Japan to te ICJ, Japan is compelled to respond. Signatory nations can not declare that they will "not go to the ICJ". People need to educate themselves before posting nonsense.

Zaphod

No, you wish. So far, the new swamp government has done everything the CCP wanted. No wonder the CCP is an enthusiastic supporter.

You are dreaming. Nothing even close has happened. More FON patrols than ever before in the South China Sea and Taiwan Straight, CCP is very happy about that...Not! Biden has not removed any trade tariffs as was expected. CCP ecstatic about that...Not! Continuing pressure on Chinese Tech companies which makes CCP so very happy with your so called swamp. Nothing for the CCP to be happy with, the pressure is building on them with more coordinated alliances targeting them.

You must be tuning in to Trump media where up is down and the truth is inconvenient and fake is the order of the day.

Peter14

CCP has no friends in America or the West for that matter. They wish.

No, you wish. So far, the new swamp government has done everything the CCP wanted. No wonder the CCP is an enthusiastic supporter.

CCP companies back in the US power grid, the "Confucius institute" back in US universities, and lots of purchases of CCP products on the horizon thanks to the "green" agenda.... stand by for more.

asakaze: "Because China will ignore the ICJ ruling if it is not in China's favor. Already done that with other disputed islands."

Not all that great on picking up on sarcasm on this thread. It was rhetorical. Actually, Japan has stated that they have no intention of going to the ICJ on this issue -- when the hypocrisy is pointed out on this as opposed to other island issues where Japan insists on it -- because there is "no dispute" in their words. They have administered the islands for over 100 years, but again, point out South Korea no only administers but also lives on Dokdo and it's crickets from Japan on the issue.

Sorry about misuse of the term “The west” @P.Smith 3:32pm. It was an ‘occident’.

With the new CCP friend govt in the US, Japan better strengthen its own security.

CCP has no friends in America or the West for that matter. They wish.

AndyToday 09:04 am JST

The rogue state of the USA has always been the biggest threat world peace and stability. Stay home.

Too much of the "green herb" smoking will make you say silly things like that.

The USA became strong during WWII when it did not threaten but defend world peace and freedom. Since then they have fought for a free South Korea, Tried to stop the march of communism in South Vietnam and failed. Over threw a dictator in Iraq, defended itself against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan where it was free to operate and under Taliban protection. Oh and it helped fight ISIS which was slaughtering everyone in the region that would not bow to it.

USA is a defender of peace and China is a rogue state that has become the biggest threat to world peace and stability. Everywhere it sticks its tentacles it creates unrest and problems, even when it is not trying to. It is the manner in which it operates to gain total control on all aspects of all things it becomes involved in.

China needs to be more proactive against USA intrusion.

China could step up armament, provocations near Senkakus, think tank warns

Could? As predictably as sunrise. The moment anyone shows weakness, they will pounce.

With the new CCP friend govt in the US, Japan better strengthen its own security.

@1glenn

It is not about business.

It is as simple as control of the Seaways.

That simple, China has effectively claimed control of all international waters from just off the coasts of Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Vietnam, Japan and South Korea.

This would effectively stop any ship from passing from these countries to Japan and towards the Americas.

It would even stop India from shipping to Japan and onwards to the Americas, Japan's exports to the middle East, India Philippines Vietnam Indonesia Malaysia would all be subject to China's whims.

He how controls the road can charge the toll and reduce competition.

Yet the USA is making things worse with its sanctions. A Japanese proverb. "A cornered mouse will bite a cat!". What if the USA is making it impossible for China not to go to war?

Seriously?

China has been bullying it's neighbours for decades, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,etc...

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea effectively saying it will control what goes through it.

And you think it is USA sanctions that are the problem!

So what should we do give China more money do it can build more military posts on islands it claims and cut off these countries from doing business that competes with China.

it will be a difficult thing for a population so used to peace and stability to make the psychological change. Generations have grown up without having to think about or deal with such matters.

No longer able to exercise the martial option, post war Japan, with masterly self-control, chose instead to temporarily put aside its samurai swagger and switch the focus to the incremental accretion of economic power to achieve many of the goals it had once tried to gain the other way. One could always catch glimpses though of the iron fist in the velvet glove; kept in reserve, to be resurrected and dusted off, should the need ever arise.

Workplaces and schools became surrogate boot camps, inculcating a barrack-like ethos of austere severity, only rarely challenged. As the regional security situation deteriorates further, 平和惚け having outlived its usefulness will increasingly cede to a Japan that we only recognize from the history books; one that will emerge from its chrysalis fully formed.

I have never understood and will never understand WHY the world decided to give China so much money and global influence, knowing very well their ideologies and pretensions. They have been plotting moves for communism to dominate the world for the past 40 years and the whole world just got along with it.

Yet the USA is making things worse with its sanctions. A Japanese proverb. "A cornered mouse will bite a cat!". What if the USA is making it impossible for China not to go to war?

Cutting one thin slice at a time...that's how the Chinese communists work.

The rogue state of the USA has always been the biggest threat world peace and stability. Stay home.

dougthehead13Mar. 28  11:34 pm JST

To the people who say in the comments. That Japan establish some kind of human presence, in the Senkakus Islands. Whether civilian or military. They simply don't know what the issue is about.

1) The islands are too small to harbor human life.

2) If so. Living conditions on those islands would be considered extreme. I'm talking about salubrious conditions, high humidity, salinity and relying on supplies provided from Okinawa. Drinking water, food, medicine etc. 

Apart from the high monetary and logistical cost of keeping those people there.

3) The number of people that could live on these islands would be limited to a maximum of 2 or 3 people. And I repeat, in subhuman conditions.

"After the incorporation of the Senkaku Islands into Japanese territory, Japanese civilians settled on the previously uninhabited islands, having obtained permission from the Government. Settlers ran businesses such as dried bonito manufacture and feather collecting. The islands counted more than 200 inhabitants at one point, and taxes were collected from the inhabitants."

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/c_m1/senkaku/page1we_000010.html

The raison d’etre of having a military force is the fear that an enemy might invade or attack one’s country. Hence, it’s natural for the military to sell the idea that China might invade the Senkakus in any time soon. Note that the National Institute of Defense Studies is an SDF-affiliated think tank.

I think Taiwan is more important than the Senkakus for China, and so there seems no reason why China will invade the Senkakus first.

First, let me say that I know very little about this dispute. However, sometimes not knowing much about something lends itself to a distant viewpoint. To wit, is the argument mostly about economic development of natural resources in the area, or is it mostly about national pride, and who gets bragging rights about a couple of rocks jutting out of the ocean?

If the dispute is about economic issues, and if both sides can agree that the other's is not entirely baseless, then how about creating a joint economic development plan for the area? If natural resources are found and to be developed, let it be agreed that there will be a company created that, on behalf of both countries, will look for, attempt to extract, and share the resources in the area. A "Sino-Japanese," or perhaps a "Japanese-Chinese" company could be created to share the potential economic benefits in the area. Like the cooperation between the countries participating in the International Space Station, it would be good for all, while ameliorating the potential for conflict. Which, by the way, is a further argument for having the Chinese participate in the ISS.

Yeah, Japan needs to spend more on military while living standards are falling, and the population is evaporating. Getting nukes would be much cheaper and far more effective. Of course, there would be no need for the US military occupation, but if North Korea can afford to make nukes, surely Japan can.

Given the Analysis. Should China attempt an attack upon Taiwan, the US is fully Justified in making a 1st strike against Military targets within China. 

Does anyone seriously believe the US would attack China with nuclear weapons should their be an invasion of Taiwan? That will just not happen. It would invite a nuclear strike against the US mainland. I don’t think even chicken hawk Biden is that stupid. A conventional weapons attack against China would at best result in a protracted war that the US public will not support in the long run. Democrats in Congress will be arguing for defunding the military within weeks. The US will just give up and Taiwan will be owned by the CCP.

The US may have the worlds best military but they don’t have the best military in the Eastern Pacific - not anymore. It would take months to marshall the resources necessary to be competitive with China’s home field advantage in the region. By that time Taiwan will have been over run.

The world should isolate the CCP again and switch back to recognizing Taiwan. No time to waste - the sleeping red dragon is wakening.

I agree.

Tanaka was the villain. Re-recognize Taiwan. Period.

I think Nixon had a lot to do with that as well. The switch in diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Communist China and allowing them into the World Trading system during Clinton’s presidency were both huge mistakes. The world should isolate the CCP again and switch back to recognizing Taiwan. No time to waste - the sleeping red dragon is wakening.

Given the Analysis. Should China attempt an attack upon Taiwan, the US is fully Justified in making a 1st strike against Military targets within China. Russia would we well advised to step back, especially given that they too have been impacted by this Chinese Virus.

Fix the problem for everyone, including their ally Russia

Classify the CCP as a Terrorist Organisation

The Problem, at present, is not with the Chinese people, but with their draconian Leadership, who enforce no dissent, or questions upon Policy.

So we are in essence., seeing Hitler's Germany reappearing here again.

Given, the recent Muslim extremist attacks we've experienced, I'd forgive anyone saying well.. good luck to them, but... take a look at the wider picture, and you may start to see a pattern. Its not good. And, it should be stopped before we all end up in another Global War.

@xin xin - sadly your brain washing is going to need a lot of rewriting just as the Brown-Shirts needed after the end of WW2

Tanaka was the villain. Re-recognize Taiwan. Period.

First Strike .. may be the only option.

Given that the CCP has taken its first strike of Biological Warfare against the rest of us, as also exposed on CNN ....

Xi will have no concerns about ordering his Military to fire Nuclear Missles overseas - he simply does not care about his own Population.

Let China play. Crimea was invaded and no one moved. Apparently big and strong countries like to harass smaller ones to check if other will make a move.

What are the UN saying ?

The UN says a lot but does nothing. Worse, it says a lot and when a country steps up to enforce their high-minded mandates the UN backs down from its position. At this point the UN does more harm than good by providing cowardly cover to tin-pot dictators.

And if Burma/Myanmar gets ahold of Nukes, them that's the end of it... the UK Govt should move in and right the wrongs that they setup in the first place here for Global Security. Burma needs to be re-freed from its past with yes, help from those who were formerly deemed its masters.... but this time, in retribution to help the Nation become at one, and choose its own way, without further interference.

Nuking China 1st wont help... but refusing to accept their exports entirely may send a signal to them, and this could start with Unions refusing to unload Chinese registered Ships.

So Enjoy your lives, be happy towards each other, as the rest ... such as the current Virus, is under the control of the CCP.

China WILL start a Nuclear War within the current Year.

"There is a reason why hitherto Japan hasn't put up anything there. We are not privy to what that entails."

Yes, there are reasons why Japan hasn't placed "anything" in there.

They don't NEED to!

This is public knowledge (except to the various China lovers, JT "strategists).

The Senkaus are completely covered by anti-ship, anti-air overlapping battery missiles from nearby Yonagumi, Ishigaki, and Miyako-jima, all Japanese territory MUCH closer to the Senkakus than anything China will ever be able to muster.

"The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bases were officially activated March 26 at Miyako Island, which is part of Okinawa prefecture, and in two spots on Kagoshima prefecture’s Amami Oshima island, Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced last month. Tokyo is also in the process of launching a new command on Ishigaki island, roughly 150 miles east of Taiwan."

"https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan-solidifies-defenses-in-southern-island-chain-with-string-of-new-bases-1.575277"

"The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has held an induction ceremony on the 5th of April marking the completion of the deployment of mobile anti-ship and surface-air-missiles on Japan’s remote outer islands in the East China Sea.

The deployment saw the transfer of an unspecified number of truck-mounted launcher units for the Type 03 surface-to-air missile (Chu-SAM Kai) and Type 12 anti-ship missiles deployed to the island of Miyako-jima, which forms part of Japan’s southernmost Okinawa Prefecture."

"https://defencereviewasia.com/japan-deploys-anti-ship-surface-to-air-missiles-on-southernmost-islands/"

The encirclement of the Senkakus is total.

In addition, Japan is building a new rapid Japan/US Marines intervention base on Magashima (check for the link, as I can't be bothered really).

Okinawa us within 400 miles sticking range, equivalent to the same distances China's navy would need to sail in order to occupy the Senkakuss.

Obviously, China's junks would need to first pass through all the Japanese subs infesting the inland sea, prior to getting anywhere close to the islands.

There must be a break in communication between what real Chinese strategists know and that which is available to JT "China strategists".

I'd love it right up if US Naval underwater demolition teams are now quietly getting ready to put these rocks at the bottom of the drink where they belong once and for all so that NOBODY gets to play King of the Mountain over there anymore.

Sit down and shut up back there, you kids!

To the people who say in the comments. That Japan establish some kind of human presence, in the Senkakus Islands. Whether civilian or military. They simply don't know what the issue is about.

1) The islands are too small to harbor human life.

2) If so. Living conditions on those islands would be considered extreme. I'm talking about salubrious conditions, high humidity, salinity and relying on supplies provided from Okinawa. Drinking water, food, medicine etc. 

Apart from the high monetary and logistical cost of keeping those people there.

3) The number of people that could live on these islands would be limited to a maximum of 2 or 3 people. And I repeat, in subhuman conditions.

4) In addition, the Senkaku Islands are a national nature and biosphere park. Within Japan's network of national parks. As far as it concerns. They are subject to special legislation prohibiting the construction of housing facilities. Or other uses, including military installations.

To modify your status. The Diet would first have to approve the removal of the Senkaku Islands from the list of National Parks.

For these reasons it is a bad idea to establish human presence on these islands. There would be serious logistical problems, as well as legal problems.

Just visited Iriomote island!

Stunning place!

I guess they could put a putting green on the first one and a gift shop on the other one, but anyone living there would be pretty depressed

I hope these think tank people are not paid very well if this is all they can come up with. Very slow to put two and two together.

1) Elections are coming, the annual NK, CH fearmonging works well for the ruling camp.

2) The US and their advanced China-phobia someday will push Japan into War with the Asian Neigbours

Wow did you totally miss or are you just ignoring the fact it is China that announced it will fire on ships in waters off these islands!

Senkaku islands look a lot closer to China than Japan.

Closer to Taiwan than China. Not that far from Ishigaki either.

"Could..." China, Japan, Taiwan...Coulda woulda shoulda.

1) Elections are coming, the annual NK, CH fearmonging works well for the ruling camp.

2) The US and their advanced China-phobia someday will push Japan into War with the Asian Neigbours

As they always did in the past. Placing some bad seeds, collect the spoils of War later.

Just simply build a military installation, how thick is the govt or are they deliberately inviting intruders.

Put some military on the place then if the chinese come within range they are able to admire their naval fleet from the comfort of glass bottom boats.

There is a reason why hitherto Japan hasn't put up anything there. We are not privy to what that entails. If it were that simple as some of you make it, they would long have done so. Everyone has their own individual nightmares.

Look at the photo quickly and it looks like a crocodile head sticking out of the water followed by it body popping up a bit and the tail.

Nothing like an annual rear-mongering report.

@smithinjapan

Because China will ignore the ICJ ruling if it is not in China's favor. Already done that with other disputed islands.

Why doesn't Japan take this issue to the ICJ and be done with it?

Because China has already rejected all international decisions on these territories and waterway claims.

No geographical,, maritime, political organization not even the UN accepts any of China's claims regarding these waters and the South China Sea.

You might want to read up on how the US "provocations" captured Hawaii, Midway, Guam, The Philippines, etc.

I know all about it!

And trying to deflect from what I said doesn't work.

The USA did those things we know that, but as I pointed out if they followed what China is doing they could claim the Pacific ocean from continental USA all the way to Hawaii possibly right up to Guam.

I wonder if you know that China is not just claiming these little islands but att the water between them and mainland China.

They are doing the same from mainland China all the way to a few kilometers off of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia Vietnam.

If China's claims were ever actually recognised there would effectively be no way to get to Japan from the west of Japan that would not be traveling through Chinese waters.

Effectively cutting off Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, etc...from shipping to Japan, South Korea, North America, and at the mercy of China.

Basically if you know anything about shipping lanes, the primary lanes run through the strait of Malacca then via the south China Sea which China claims nearly in its entirety.

Why doesn't Japan take this issue to the ICJ and be done with it?

AntiquesavingToday  08:09 pm JST

If the USA implemented the same policies China uses to claim territory, then it could claim a good chunk of the Pacific ocean from continental USA right to Hawaii.

You might want to read up on how the US "provocations" captured Hawaii, Midway, Guam, The Philippines, etc.

China not interested.

If the USA implemented the same policies China uses to claim territory, then it could claim a good chunk of the Pacific ocean from continental USA right to Hawaii.

Other countries that claim decent from past seafaring societies could pull out millenium old maps and claim it's predecessors mapped the areas and claimed them for their king/emperor/ country.

Because most of China's claims are exactly based on such things old maps no actual or precise coordinates and some guy saying they saw this island and claimed it for Emperor XYZ/China.

Totalitarian counties will think they would be willing to war to make an invasion on Taiwan or other islands if Democratic countries strongly take an objection to the attempt.

So that I think I hope Democratic counties should get tie and union to get an arrangement of their army as early as possible

also we Democratic should make totalitarian’s economy weaken in a few years. Like withdrawing supply chains to other countries.

@Kyakusenbi_Arimasu unfortunately, the islands are too inhospitable for a resort. Plus, the islands are currently designated by the Japanese government as a practice bombing range for the US military (and maybe the JSDF). Although I doubt they are actually being used for bombing practice.

Japan, needs to get its act together on Senkaku Islands policy before China sends 200 ships to anchor there on a dark night. (China did this in the Philippines a couple of weeks ago.) Once China does that it will be up to Japan to start a war if they want to keep the islands. Do you think Japan will start a war? (I don't think so and China knows that.) So, Japan must do something preemptive that would force China to go to war if they want to claim the Senkaku Islands. If unwilling to act maybe the government should conduct a survey asking people how soon they want to be Chinese.

The USA needs to send all Boomer subs ready to nuke China ASAP

The Senkaku islands, a few rocks to some, have geopolitical significance the gateway to the East and South China Seas.

This fact is the overwhelming concern, to establish a need to exercise control, militarily over the area,

Such as the claimant states involved in maritime territorial claims, especially in the area/fact of China’s naval build-up, plus the Government of China wider strategic aspirations.

Call me a war monger, call out the bully.

When the pressure is on to reform and change its ways, totalitarian regimes will respond in many ways

Threaten their antagonists. throwing their military might about as China has done in the past when their unproven land claims are challenged in The Philippines, Thailand and of shore Japan.

Flex their Financial Muscle. Challanged by Canada and the EU due to China's oppression of Muslim Population. Enbargo's, joint projects put on hold, not delivering upon contracts.

Threaten the safety and security of antagonist nations Citizens. Those students, business people and even travellers who work and live, visit China.

Chinese pressure is placed upon those nations who are client nations to China...such as African and Latin American nations whose mines and mineral resouces are owned or controlled by Chinese Interests.

Look to possible threats and hostilies coming from Northern Korea, a client state of China's.

Speculation think tank. This is how war validations start.

Because China's war with Taiwan is imminent.

Let China play. Crimea was invaded and no one moved. Apparently big and strong countries like to harass smaller ones to check if other will make a move.

What are the UN saying ?

Senkaku islands look a lot closer to China than Japan.

And the islands of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc...

Are all way way way closer to those countries.

China has now even claimed it does not recognise USA, Canadian or Russian claims in the Arctic and is sending it's icebreaker to map what claims is territory China supposedly "discovered" and "mapped" during one of their dynasties centuries ago but not one experts outside China has seen the map other than what China claims.

Senkaku islands look a lot closer to China than Japan

Uotsuri Island to northern coast of Iriomote Island, 149 km.

Uotsuri Island to northern coast of Taiwan, 173 km

Uotsuri Island to closest island off the coast of China, 305 km

If distance is the deciding factor, Japan wins the islands hands-down.

The Japanese people have had the supreme good fortune to have lived in an area of comparative geopolitical calm for about 75 years or three generations, sadly thanks to the actions of China, North Korea and to a lesser extent Russia that has now completely changed and it will be a difficult thing for a population so used to peace and stability to make the psychological change. Generations have grown up without having to think about or deal with such matters.

Yes Japan needs to make a categorical statement on the ground that the islands are theirs by positioning a presence there but in the circumstances a non military presence would be effective, perhaps a manned weather and rescue station? In the background a clear message can be sent by continued training to defend/retake the “islands” non specific.

Japan and the United States have the Senkakus already covered in the event of a military invasion. That is something that China does not want to face directly.

So they now authorized their Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels in "their" territory, not withstanding the fact that nobody but China considers it "theirs".

China likes to mix everything together, economic and geopolitical, and here they are mixing law enforcement with territorial claims. For nations that do not play this kind of game it causes legal confusion and an inability to resist China's slow advance.

Frankly, I believe the Senkaku issuie should be militarized. Because with Japan refraining, China is going to do it anyway. It's just a matter of time. The whole area around the Senkakus should be declared a no entry zone and the JMSDF and USN should start doing live fire exercises. Any vessels of any country not authorized to be in the vicinity will be challenged. And if fired upon as the Chinese Coast Guard claims they will do, they will be fired upon and sent to the sea floor. Let's up the stakes and see if China contines to play this game.

Friendly looking Japanese government website, in English, Español y Français, titled “We are Tomodachi” with four perspectives and some ‘history’ of the islands for those interested.

https://www.japan.go.jp/tomodachi/2017/spring2017/the_senkaku_islands.html

Senkaku islands look a lot closer to China than Japan.

Japan could do all of the above or it could accept the fact that China has as big a claim if not bigger than Japan to the islands in question. Both sides are using meaning less rocks in the sea for political gain with there own people.

Good job, NIDS! They definitely got Our attention with ‘China’, ‘armament’ and ‘tank’ in the headline! (Must divert attention from ICOVCID scenario ASAP.). Here comes all the ‘picnic’ and “luau’ suggestions ‘as a deterrent’.

Japan absolutely must build armaments on the Senkaku islands. Anti-ship missiles should be built, as well as mining the areas between the islands to prevent hostile vessels. Maritime Self Defense Force soldiers should permanently man the Senkaku chain.

First let the international boy scout troops set up camp to settle things down a bit . Perhaps installing a non-sectarian shrine dedicated to all the victims of previous Pacific wars. It could be island condominium administered by both China & Japan to further foster better understanding of shared mutual Asian values. No guns allowed but perhaps building a weather & earthquake warning station. I would never consider a McDonalds but how about a dim sum/sushi bar using the local catch to encourage dialog through hospitality.

Sooner or later the Government of japan must consider an advanced short range tactical, plus a strategic long range inertially guided missile defense initiative.

A off shore non conventional policy must be debated.

I don't thing the people of Japan will ever countenance such a action.

Would any Government launch such a strike.?

World needs to stop enabling China and change suppliers

The free world must withdraw all investment in China and return manufacturing to their own countries. They will need the manufacturing base in their countries for the upcoming war. Boycott China.

Make some resorts on the islands and I would visit. Keeping them unpopulated is the issue.

China is currently the biggest threat to world peace and democracy and freedom.