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Ishihara put the national government in a very difficult spot. He pushed them into doing this now. But this is a good outcome that should be seen as an attempt by Tokyo to sideline Ishihara.

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Sheila Smith, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, referring to the Japanese government's purchase of the disputed islands. Several experts interpreted the move as an attempt to block the plan by Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara, which could have raised tensions further with China. (AP)

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The national government buying these islands after Ishihara threatened to buy them is the ultimate example of the tail wagging the dog. Noda and company should have taken Mr. Ishihara aside and explained to him exactly what he was or wasn't going to do.

If they're going to allow local officials to dictate national foreign policy, they might as well just give up.

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and now look at what is happening in china. thanks ishihara.

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