politics

U.S. calls on Japan, S Korea to resolve isle dispute

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© 2012 AFP

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*The United States did a terrible job with Japan after WWII. While it encouraged Germany to pay reparations to Jews and Israel and tried German war criminals, it helped cover up things for Japan.

Clearly, the United States recognized that "Japan" would be limited to the four home islands and "some minor islands". But it was not clear. The United States should have stated that Dokdo and Diaoyutai were clearly not Japanese in the 1950s or 1960s at the latest. Also, it should have told Japan that the South Kuril Islands are taken by Russia and no longer Japanese.

Now, it's too late*

Why too late? Can the US government tell Japan even now? It is never too late to learn!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If Korea, Japan, and China can talk to each other, maybe the best solution is the joint offshore development of Dokdo/Takeshima and Senkaku/Daioyu. This is better than starting a war.

Very ideal resolution of the conflict. Do you think it is doable? Probably not... unless Japan sincerely apologizes, repents and compensates to some extent to Korea and China.

I think the main rreason whu Japan is so stubborn is their unwillingness to compensate. Already sinking economy may not have much reserve to do it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@just-a-bigguy: agree with u

Let's bet who will get the island. I'll bet SKorea will get the island because it's easier and cheaper tax for American company to drill oil on that island if SKorea get it. While if Japan still fight, then he become next Iraq. Since Japan goverment hard to deal with.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

America is caught between two lovers.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

melonbarmonster

LOL. The chance that Koreans will let Japan have islands that are visible with naked eye from Ullungdo = ZERO PERCENTO.

I doubt that . An excerpt from Wiki concerning the horizon;

For an observer standing on a hill or tower of 100 metres (330 ft) in height, the horizon is at a distance of 39 kilometres (24 mi).

What was the distance between Ullungdo and Takeshima?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

highhopeAug. 24, 2012 - 10:38AM JST Why too late? Can the US government tell Japan even now? It is never too late to learn!

Today, U.S. is in a weaker position with China and Korea, and they do not want to add flames to existing problem. U.S. goverment has always stay neutral on sovereignty of Dokdo/Takeshima and Senkaku/Diaoyu and will continue to do so. If the firm decision by the U.S. were made in after WWII or prior to 1970's when U.S. had the leverage, it would've been much more better to define of the sovereignty issue and the confusion would've been reduced. In 1971, U.S. gave admistrative responsibity of Senkaku to Japan, but U.S. remained neutral on the sovereignty issue. Problem now is that China, Japan aand Korea have found valuable natural resources under the ocean on these two disputed islands. So, now it's really not about the value of the island, but the extensive rights of the surrounding seas. Since China will be importing over three fourth of the oil from foreign sources in a less than a decade, Just like Korea and Japan, they all are becoming more assertive to what is left in the unexplored areas and will not back down. If Korea, Japan, and China can talk to each other, maybe the best solution is the joint offshore development of Dokdo/Takeshima and Senkaku/Daioyu. This is better than starting a war.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sir, you are right. Japanese peoples are like North Koreans. They just follow whatever ordered to them without analyzing the whole situation. No true democracy like Korea. Freedom is not free. Right wings have too much power there. Democracy did not come easy in Korea. It was taken after blood and sweats.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LOL. The chance that Koreans will let Japan have islands that are visible with naked eye from Ullungdo = ZERO PERCENTO. This is the biggest farce. Historical maps from antiquity, Meiji Era to period of Japanese occupation clearly draw the maritime line with these islets on Korea's side. Korea and Japan are close neighbors they are certainly not in eye distance. Good grief.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Work this out, work it out peacefully, work it out through consultations” = "Korea should agree go to the ICJ."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Uh, a little late, Washington.

The United States did a terrible job with Japan after WWII. While it encouraged Germany to pay reparations to Jews and Israel and tried German war criminals, it helped cover up things for Japan.

Clearly, the United States recognized that "Japan" would be limited to the four home islands and "some minor islands". But it was not clear. The United States should have stated that Dokdo and Diaoyutai were clearly not Japanese in the 1950s or 1960s at the latest. Also, it should have told Japan that the South Kuril Islands are taken by Russia and no longer Japanese.

Now, it's too late.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Definitely the US had a clear chance to nip this in the bud.

But:

1) US let off so many war criminals who went on to become Japanese government officials, and now their sons and grandsons have taken over, excusing and denying every one of their forefather's actions.

2) US said "no" when Japan claimed Korea's Ullungdo and Jeju Islands, but failed to include Dokdo which is right accross Ullungdo in only 50 mile spread, visible to the naked eye in a clear sunny day (unlike the Japanese lie, which says it can't been seen).

But it's not too late for the US to say to Japan, hands off those islands. Because Korea will never "share" that island with Japan because it symbolizes Japan's colonial rule of Korea. The island was taken away from Korea in 1905, so it was the first shot by Japan before all of Korea was taken over in 1910.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@chucky3176: Agree that allowing the war criminals and their conspirators to keep their posts and then have their sons and grandsons "continue the tradition" is a big factor, if not main factor. The Japanese need to vote these people out. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like they have any other options. If the Democratic Party is even acting like this, then who can they choose? The Communist Party? Are there any alternatives in Japan?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Sir_Edgar: it helped cover up things for Japan

You need to connect strings with the puppet's arms, legs, neck to perform the little show when you are entertaining your audiences(the world)!

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

When america is harping 'nationalisms' in japan confronting China, this ideology has spread to South Korea and harping the same tone against Japan as well, the South Korean ultra nationalism is foundation over the notorious Japanese wartime conductsand the misbehaviour of her post war conducts that reallys piss off all Koreans like a maverik beyond control, America using the enemy's enemy is my friend tactic is definately not a wise move for her own interest in north east asia!

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

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