U.S. urges calm in China-Japan dispute

The US could resolve this whole thing in 2 seconds if they wanted to.

The fact is, the only actions they have taken over this is to communicate to Japan that they will not openly guarantee Japan's sovereignty over the islands THEY gave to Japan, and this timidness is what has emboldened PRC to take escalating steps to take the islands over.

And with the US not getting involved, why wouldn't they?

I also urge calm.

I don't like the Russian government, but at least Putin get one thing right: No territory changes hand without going through a war.

Disputes with Japan have created a unlikely, totally unexpected, unofficial alliance - China (and Taiwan), Russia, S Korea. This 'alliance' makes the life of Uncle Sam very difficult as well - to support or not to support in the event of conflict.

How to step back from the brink? Ishihara shintaro said he wants Japan at war with China, and Mr Noda complied with his wishes, Japan was the one that kicked up the conflict! Once the word 'WAR' was lashed out from Japan, the Chinese shall no longer control their outraging! The word 'WAR' has to payback!

U.S. policy in Asia was heightening China-Japan tensions

Of course the U.S was 100% responsible for the sino-Japanese conflict, theyw ant to see both countries, China and Japan got hurted in a conflict and America sit on top over every asian countries, there was the definition of 'Returning asia'! America has defeated in Iraq and afghanistan, she is desperately want to attack China to express her dominances in the west Pacific! You want me show you evidence: Ishihara Shintaro made annocuement to buy the disputed island in the headquarter of 'Heritage foundation' in Washington DC in April! The Heritage foundation is a think tank given strategy and influences to US state department of the pentagon, most members of that think tank were retired officals with hawkish views!

tian4670Nov. 02, 2012 - 05:09PM JST

Disputes with Japan have created a unlikely, totally unexpected, unofficial alliance - China (and Taiwan), Russia, S Korea. This 'alliance' makes the life of Uncle Sam very difficult as well - to support or not to support in the event of conflict.

Actually this has been in the talking shop for quite a while. A lot of commentators, including Americans, have been saying that The US' alliance with Japan is not in the US Asian interests because Japan will always be looking out into Asia and America's closeness to Japan will place the US in a likewise outsider position.

America has to cut the Japanese hikikimori loose, if America wants a position within Asia in the 21st Century. Once China resolves her territorial positions with the Pines, Vietnam and India, and North and South Korea are reunified, it's natural for Asia to come together under the Chinese monoloth, just like Germany did with Europe.

America can be looking from within or looking from outside, it's her choice, but at the moment she's going to end up like Russia was with the European Union

Japan should give up claim to something that does not belong to it. End of matter.

japan is in dispute with ALL her neighbors...up, down, left, right...all unfriendly

so maybe its about time they stop blaming just others and introspected a little...

Calm is not going to ensue. A skirmish is going to happen if the Japanese and Chinese continue as is. Plus, China is buying the yen, keeping it high and has essentially set up a govt sanctioned boycott of Japanese goods. (Is that legal within the WTO framework?) Japan needs to act, fast, and assertively economically. Pull out of China, everything. Every single factory, every single thing that belongs to Japan, ship it off to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Myanmar, rebuild the factories there adding to the already established industrial base in those countries (Myanmar aside). Offer interest free loans, offer all that Japanese factories and working conditions do. Side step China. No sharing of intellectual property, no sharing of money, nothing. Then, tell China the islands are theirs.

Every country has hawkish supporters and dovish supporters, one person's statement, either from US, CN or JP, can't represent his country's full view because that might change if country leader change. Leaders of all these countries might change soon so I would hold my judge for a while.

Calm? we are more than calm, we are zen. Being zen entwined wisdom, the wisdom to watch your moves, to see your true intension from the very beginning. That "unhelpful" view is probably only inconvenient to the US, but rather helpful for Japan and China to reach a solution. And you know the hopeful part? That view is secretly shared by two capitals- one in the East, one in the North and they are not called Washington.

China and Japan need to sign a peace agreement of 100 years. I don't believe that Chineses are stupid to the point to start a war for an island that doesn't worth even one life... It they are, then all the countries will need to worry. Anyway, the world will end in 100 years due to the climate changes lol...

if it is me , i rather to encourage japan to teach the so called super powder (LOL) CHINA the old lesson , if not it keeps trying to take others ' property . In the past few years china did lot of bad thing to vietnam and philippines , like as china shooting 70 vietnamese to stand in water at sea with no weapon on hand , taking islands that belong to VN and PHLP , wrongfully arrest vietnam fisherman and beating up the fisherman badly with none feeling of human being . So if no one to beat china up once then china keep continue to intimidating others

LOL...This is so retorted. First of all, it was CHINA who made the Bold Attempt at harassing The Japanese Coast Guard Ships 2 Years ago, by RAMMING a Chinese Fishing Boat into a Japanese Coast Guard Ship that routinely patrols the Senkakku Islands as they have for the past 68 Years.

China (not Japan) brought on this Conflict. China thought the Japanese would just Roll Over like the Philippines did when China incurred on the Spratly Islands a few years back when Natural Resources were made public by a UN Survalance Team as so with the Senkaku Islands.

The thing that China fail to factor in, was the Military Alliance that the U.S. has with Japan regarding Articles 4 & 5. Now, not to play Devils Advocate, the U.S. must abide by the treaty and at the same time acknowledge that China has 90% of our Manufacturing Jobs & Billions of dollars of T Bonds (Japan now holds the 2nd largest share holder of our T Bonds).

In the end game, with the U.S. losing more jobs to China and the Politicians screaming for Nationalization along with trade sanctions on China, its going be China that will ultimately have to concede their incursion of the Senkakku Islands despite what their Ancient Maps say with respects to old sea routes.

All these countries: Vietnam, the Philipines and Japan were 'pawns' America used to wage war aginst China! America needs a pretext to contain and attack a China to acheieve her dominance status in the western pacific! There were claims that China has shooting Vietnamese fishermen! There was no such thing known as'vietnamese fishermen' but 'spies', China understood Vietnam very much since their civil wars against the French!. Both the Vietnamese and the Philipines were 'greed' of the oil in Paracel and Spartly islands. Both third world countries has no technologies and finiancial to drill the oil, thats the main reason both of them collaborating with US incenitives to 'loot' alll the natural resources in south China sea! As for Japan, her racially motivatied diplomacy was highly reflected by their former mayor of Tokyo now a leader of a Japanese political movement: Ishihara Shintaro 's 'fascist' party' (The Rising Sun party) he has made his claims very clear: He wants war with China and he flew to washington to make that annoucement in the Heritage Foundation, a think tank that 'represented' the stagetic policy of US state department! China is protecting her interest, there was nothing known as China bullying her neighbours but a conspiracy to undermine Chinese interest and rights!

Japan understood how WRONGS by she has done over nationalrizing the Diayoutai isles! The arrogance and misunderstanding of China's restraint has caused a tension that puts her own in a dangerous way! China has been restraint over the Diayoutai for 40 years does not means China has no sovereignity and rule over there! And the whole world NO ONE recognizing Japan's claim and sovereignity over their so called 'Senkaku isles'! The most recent measure is Japanese government has cancelled the 'Retake of Isle' as part of her military drill with US, there is the evidence Japan is confessing her claims of senkaku isle is 'groundless'!

Japan has canceled her military drills of 'Retake isles' is definately not enough to calm the situation! More has done to repair sino-Japan relationship, it was her faults to kick up the chaos and let that Ishihara Shintaro warmonger go loose! These things should never happen and must 'gurantee' written on a paper, a treaty to be bounded in UN! Otherwise the situation shall never clams! It is very obvious her ally America is not going to assist Japan's claim of the senkakau isles so far when Chinese government ships daily doing their duties at sea of the Diayoutai?senkaku isles! Japan has no legitimated claims at all!

@Nhan Thai:

I think calm and cooperation is better for everyone. BTW, I need to correct you that your mentioned Spratly Islands as well as this time disputed isles are all legally belong to Taiwan(ROC).

Ever since the nationalisation of the sprately isles by japan, compelled china to assert the right of sovereignty and claim to the sprately isles which could escalate to war, japan is in peril if war is to occur.

The Japanese must ask themselves how come they have disputes will all their neighbors and not able to resolve any of them since WWII.

China is a military super power with economic global influence, even the presence of united state's forces could approve less to deter the asian giant.

HikozaemonNov. 02, 2012 - 04:30PM JST The US could resolve this whole thing in 2 seconds if they wanted to. The fact is, the only actions they have taken over this is to communicate to Japan that they will not openly guarantee >Japan's sovereignty over the islands THEY gave to Japan, and this timidness is what has emboldened PRC to take >escalating steps to take the islands over. And with the US not getting involved, why wouldn't they?

You are wrong. US Secretary of Defense Panetta told China while IN CHINA that the US considers the Senkakus to be covered under the US-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty. Sec of State Clinton has stated the same earlier. China has been complaining about it since. That has put a stop of China launching any military operation to take the Senkakus. And do you honesatly think that with Okinawa being the larghest US military installation in Asia, we would sit by and "allow" China to take over part of Okinawa? Seriously...

OssanAmerica there is certain points to reconsider, If the sprately isles are part of the defense treaty, it means the isles are part of japan and fall under the jurisdiction of japan, furthermore that means china's patrol ships trespass national territory which allows japan to defend against all intrusions but that is not the case if so it would create a pretext in favour of china to launch a fall armed assault which renders the stationed united states forces vulnerable.

@RaidenX: We're discussing about disputed Diaoyutai/Senkaku Islands here, sprately isles are another Taiwan's islands in South China sea.

There wont be any CALM in the east china seas. when big bully china keeps on claiming all island that doesnt belongs to them..

China is starting to realize that they now got themselves in a deeper mess of the Senkaku/Daioyu issue and that they can't get out by trying to intimidate and force Japan into quick settlement. It has backfired badly. The damages that Chinese goverment intentionally damaged many Japanese businesses that was operating inside China has also awakened the international community of the risk in future investments in China. What this tells you is that the goverment of China will not protect any foreign businesses does not agree with their ideas.

What else do you guys in Japan want US to do while Japan is churning leaders so often like diapers and urging US base out of Okinawa? Tell us just one message, pleeeze.

globalwatcherNov. 03, 2012 - 04:06AM JST What else do you guys in Japan want US to do while Japan is churning leaders so often like diapers and urging US base out of Okinawa? Tell us just one message, pleeeze.

If China has a beef, why don't they take up the island issue with U.S.? Japan is only following the conditions set by U.S. of the agreement.

Japan is only following the conditions set by U.S. of the agreement.

Wbat condition are you talking about?

globalwatcherNov. 03, 2012 - 04:29AM JST Wbat condition are you talking about?

Administrative responsibilty.

Those little islands are Not CUBA. US will do nothing if there is a fight for those tiny islands between japan and china. The US did everything they could to prevent the USSR from reaching Cuba, an island that is c ommunist and does not even belong to the US, but they were willing to go to war over an island to maintain the Monroe doctorine? US has no business being there - treaty or no treaty. all terroritial disputes are created because of historical conquests of those disputed islands. It was the only way to possess territory - by forcefully taking it. So now, it would seem that it is still the only way to take those tiny islands by China.

There wont be be any CALM in the east china seas.unless bully china keeps on claiming islands that doesnt belongs to them...

Campbell and Armitage need to learn history from all sources, not partial sources. In particular, sources like professor Kiyoshi Inoue of Kyoto University and professor Tadayoshi Murata of Yokohama National University. These are Japanese who stand for the truth, not political passions. Another impartial source is Martin Lohmeyer, from University of Canterbury. He concludes in his thesis: "7.17. Conclusion of the sovereignty question The question of the legal historical sovereignty must be decided in China’s / Taiwan’s favour albeit Japan maintains the entire factual sovereignty since

The Japanese refutation of having incorporated terra nullius in 1895 cannot be backed by the legal facts. Looking at the legal situation by interpreting the international treaties, the position of Japan seems to be rather weak in the light of the 1952 retrocession of the islands to the Chinese. The Chinese regained the formal legal title by the Treaty of Taipei".

sfjp330Nov. 03, 2012 - 04:13AM JST If China has a beef, why don't they take up the island issue with U.S.? Japan is only following the conditions set by U.S. of the agreement.

In my eyes, it is the position of Japan, which prevents China to discuss the islands with the US. The moment Japan redirects China to the US, will allow China to state that even Japan confirms that the islands are not Japanese, and between China and the US the islands are clearly more Chinese. If I would be Chinese, I would wait for such an opportunity. Thus, Japan, the US and China (to a lesser extent) are playing the game that the islands are Japanese. This game is awfully inconvenient for Japan and very convenient for China and the US. But this game allowed the islands to be under Japanese control so far. This allows China to attack Japan and not the US, while Japan tries to find ways to keep islands, which do not fully belong to anyone, and the US is observing from the side, while urging for calm. Don't know if my late night ramblings make any sense.

China will never step back from protecting our territories. Why would the us care when china patrols its own territorial sea? The US cannot engage in the current diaoyudao threat from japan even though japan and the us are ally.

Konsta Nov. 03, 2012 - 06:24AM JST Thus, Japan, the US and China (to a lesser extent) are playing the game that the islands are Japanese. This game is awfully inconvenient for Japan and very convenient for China and the US.

The U.S. needs to unequivocably make it clear to China that U.S. is most certainly are taking sides on the sovereinty issue and will stand by our defense treaties. To do otherwise is merely inviting further aggressive actions from China who has already openly declared their intent to replace the U.S. as the dominant strategic power in the Asia region.

Campbell described as “unhelpful” a retired Chinese diplomat’s reported comments this week that U.S. policy in Asia was heightening China-Japan tensions. He said he did not believe that reflected Beijing’s views.

America doesn't want to admit that its Asian foreign policy is flawed and creating problems. Japan has been overshadowed by the US since the war and it has hindered Japan from facing its past with its neighbors. While Japanese leaders have been quite content to allow the US to protect them in this way, they are no further in developing beneficial relationships with Asia than they were after the war. Campbell has no clue how Beijing views the US in Asia as China is playing the same game as the US and would not express themselves any more clearly than the US ( ex: The US claims that they are not trying to isolate China while their actions say something different.). Nearly any observer of Asia would agree with the retired diplomat's comments, everybody except the Americans who simply don't want to believe it.

sfjp330Nov. 03, 2012 - 04:46AM JST globalwatcherNov. 03, 2012 - 04:29AM JST Wbat condition are you talking about? Administrative responsibilty.

Administration is not equal to Sovereignty(ownership)! The US gave that administration to JP due to cold war situation in 1972 didn't mean the US acknowledge JP's ownership! It's as simple as that a company's general manager is not equal to it's owner.

Statistical facts will be rather self- explanatory on the role of the US in fanning up the smoke & fire : number of joint military exercises contouring the Chinese coast; number of visits by the secretary Clinton to non China Asia with systematic provocative comments; number of reassurance openly directing at article 5 of the US-J security pact including the disputed isles ( however, ambiguously saying that not taking position on relevant sovereignty ). Encouragement ? Indeed, when the 2nd & 3rd largest economies seriously ruin their economic & military capability resulted from hostility / economic & military conflicts.. This is in line with the US interest -- no one could challenge the US No.1 throne in the near- mid terms; more arm sales ( badly needed to boost the US economy ); every small countries will ( instead of telling the Yankees to go home ) welcome with open arms for military bases; Asian dollars Free trade zone of Asia etc will not work in favor of the TPP, reinforcing the US $ supremacy ! Closer to today, when the Japanese automobiles are boycotted, don't worry, GM, Ford largely gained market shares in the Chinese market in recent months ( weak brand with average quality did not allow the US brands to take on J brands )

guys.. I think Its time to authorize Operation: Get Every Government Official From Both Countries High As Balls And let them have an intelligent conversation afterwards

sfjp330Nov. 03, 2012 - 07:40AM JST The U.S. needs to unequivocably make it clear to China that U.S. is most certainly are taking sides on the sovereinty issue and will stand by our defense treaties. To do otherwise is merely inviting further aggressive actions from China who has already openly declared their intent to replace the U.S. as the dominant strategic power in the Asia region.

I fully agree. Better yet, if the US cares about the situation, it must remove itself completely from the island game by stating that it transferred All the rights and authority and ownership, which it had at that time, to Japan. In all its entirety. Then, the US must say that according to the historical power over the islands, which it had at that time, it considers the islands to be Japanese and nobody elses, and Japan must say that all transactions, which involve sovereign territories in exchange for political benefits with neighbors and even for searching the historical truth are against the law. But it can always still allow Chinese and Taiwanese fishermen to fish in the waters to maintain status quo and for the better prosperous future of the region.

Every one should treat this dispute calmly and rationally. IF you're a Chinese or Japanese watching this news, stop worsen this already shitty matter with your extreme attitudes! If you're not citizens of either of these countries, there's none of your business in this matter. Stop taking advantage of others' misery. You think the Chinese and Japanese want this to turn into a big crisis? Stop messing this up with other irrelated issues and don't pull other countries in this, it'll make it more complicated!!!!! Everyone should focus on how to solve this. After all, no one really benefits from a war, much less the neighbours.

sfjp330, it is opposite to your assessment and actually it is japan in a big mess, not China. Before japan govt bought the island, China has never send they ship to patro the island. Now, every day China send boats to that area and japan can not do anything about it except shout around the world but with silent response, even USA will not stand by japan. In addition to this, japan's economy has been hitten badly. Both these situations will last until japan back off. For japan, China is too big to be challanged, you will realize this painfully.

avigatorNOV. 02, 2012 - 07:08PM JST Japan should give up claim to something that does not belong to it. End of matter

You know nothing about history and believe a Chinese tactful deception.

iWorldNOV. 03, 2012 - 12:11AM JST The Japanese must ask themselves how come they have disputes will all their neighbors and not able to resolve any of them since WWII.

Read the San Francisco Treaty article #3/