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© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Japan to name islands in disputed area
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Cletus
You joke dont you, so naming of disputed islands is not intended to stir debate about the islands. Seriously this guy isnt the sharpest tool in the shed if he really believes that.
namabiru4me
There are 39 islands, 3 countries claiming them...just divide them up, 13 to each, and call it a day.
nath
Just call them ishi 1, ishi 2, ishi 3 etc. Share the stones.
smithinjapan
"He said the move was not intended to stir debate about ownership of the islands."
But clearly he knows that will be the end result and is carrying on with the naming plans regardless.
They've probably already got Chinese names anyhow.
smithinjapan
KariHaruka: "Well if its in our long established exclusive economic zones..."
That's the point, isn't it? The islands lie in economic zones established BY JAPAN. Hence, the debate.
oberst
The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are regularly occupied by nationalists from both sides.
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so the other side will start naming the islands too. Back to square one.
okiokiovi
Just share the goddamn things and stop fighting over them, jeezuz. Better than continuing to fight over them like a bunch of 2 year olds over toys.
Molenir
Actually, its recognized by pretty much everyone but Taiwan and China. The ownership of the islands likewise is undisputed by anyone but those 2. Japan controls them. While this certainly doesn't help anything with the China/Taiwan relationship, it doesn't really hurt anything either. Japan won't be turning these islands over, nor giving up ownership, unless forced. If China wants to force the issue, it will have to deal with the US, hence the reason its just a dispute.
NeoJamal
China: "Japanese, relinquish your control over the islands"
Japan: "Chinese, come and claim them!"
Scrote
Why not name them after the members of AKB48?
bello420
Geaographically speaking, the islands should belong to Japan or Taiwan, certainly not China. We'll see how this develops after they name them, although I don't think Taiwan or China will recongnize it. The end result will be that Japan will keep them and develop them because the US will back them. China doesn't want to stir it up with the US just yet... but later, then Japan will have to grow some teeth... I believe a lot of problems in Japan would be solved if the J-gov kicked the Americans out and became responsible for the defense of their country again.The pacifist constitution needs to be dropped as it's a relic of a bygone era., and there was a real miltary all the crooks wouldn't have money to steal because it would be going for defense procurement programs and the men here would be real men, not the wussies they are now. That's why China and North Korea have no respect for Japan.
Cletus
smithinjapan
Exactly right its an EEZ declared by Japan and recognised by no-one. Lets hope after the naming ceremony China sails a vessel straight up to these rocks as a show of protest after all it may be a EEZ declared by Japan but there is nothing Japan can do about other nations sailing around these islands now is there?
ThonTaddeo
As for the Senkaku Islands, those could be given names in a totally fair and unbiased manner simply by using neither Japanese nor Chinese, but rather the native languages of the Yaeyamas.
Yonagunians used to dream of a "Hai-Dunan" (South Yonaguni) where they could sail away and escape the harsh tax regime of the Kyushu overlords. How about calling one of these islands "Nichi Dunan" (North Yonaguni)? People from Ishigaki might want to call them "Nishi Yaima" (North Yaeyama).
Yaeyaman fishermen have been making use of these waters for centuries. How about calling one of the islands something like iyu tui nu chima, which (approximately; someone correct it if you can) means "fishing island"? That would settle the Uotsuri/Tiaoyu argument right quick.
Serrano
They should name this group of islands "Kizuna."
KariHaruka
Well if its in our long established exclusive economic zones than China and Taiwan can go and do one.
Herve Nmn L'Eisa
They belong to Japan. The Chinese /Taiwanese can all take a hike. China is going around trying to pick fights in its empire-building.