CHuan comments

Too bad I wasn't born a girl in real life. SOBS T_T I want to wear those glowing fingernails. Soo pretty and shiny.

Because CHuan, some countries are more civilized then China is.

@Gurukun. Then keep those Japanese war-hawks and ultra-nationalists contained and away from high government positions if Japan is so civilized.

If the Chinese did not act so ignorant, selfish and arrogant, there would not be a problem.

@tokyokawasaki. And you think Japan is never that way in today's world? Don't make me laugh. =D

Why don't Japan and the U.S. deploy their navy near North Korea right now? Just attack already!....Decades of standoff is going for too long...

So much for Japan earning respect with its neighbors... Japan will try to save face no matter what, screwing with South Korea and Russia in the process.

Japan's ego is more important than peace with its neighbors. Japan can never do any wrong in the future...

Give every Japanese citizen 100,000 yen to spend. Higher inflation, weaker currency. xDD Nya! Give me money, nya.

Basically, many of these anti-China folks here think that China should become obedient like a slave to the so called, "international community", sacrificing its national interests and compromising its territorial integrity. Is that right? Is that what you are implying? Keeping China in a cage. After all the atrocities Japan has done to China, you guys still want to treat China like dirt to step on. You folks always object when China tries to uphold and defend its national security and national interests at any degree. In your eyes, when will China ever be allowed to stand up for itself as a country? This world is not Japan's world or your world to dictate.

And this kind of mentality is exactly WHY countries like Japan feel it is necessary to protect their own national interests. As Ishihara said: "Japan should also look more broadly at stepping up defense spending in the face of a rising China" Rolling over is not the best course of action when dealing with a bully. Especially when dealing with a stubborn and irrational nation that will only be satisfied when it has encroached on the mainland of Japan itself and taken Tokyo for its own. I find it pathetic that such a once great nation like China should be so greedy that they CONSTANTLY need to sneakily and covertly lay claim to places that history and international treaties teaches us are not their soverign area. ah well, really all Ishihara has to do is wait for the inevitable fall of China from being torn apart from the inside. Then he won't have to worry much about building bases...

@crustpunker. The fall of China will only happen in your dream. Stop drinking the koolaid and acknowledge China's legitimate claims rather than Japan's. Japan is actually the bully here when it has territorial disputes with its 3 neighbors. Or are you so blind to that fact?

NICE TRY MR. CHuan with your comments but it`s not going to work, this is the real world, not your world like your country (CHINA)...

@Arayat. Sorry to burst your precious bubble, but China is rapidly getting stronger in the real world while Japan remains weak in the real world in comparison. Don't fear China's rise. This article is a reaction to that reality.

Ultimately, Japanese war hawks like Ishihara will not bring about peace in East Asia if they continue to dispute China's legitimate sovereignty and obstruct China's national interests.

CHuan, historically speaking, China has used brute force to claim several "territorial disputes". I hope you're not denying that. Also, China does not deserve respect from me, or from anyone by force, as you are implying, or have your mind been so brainwashed that you can't learn from history? You seem like a smart enough chap, why don't you do some online research? Why do you keep emphasizing that Japan should worry about domestic problems? China has it's own domestic problems to worry about. So does North Korea and Russia. If you try to build your PLA base on contested territory, then you are in violation of international laws. Please don't think that China is excempt from these laws.

@Elvensilvan. China certainly has my respect unlike you. Force has been used throughout human history. Are you too naive to think that respect can never ever be earn from show of force or defending a nation's interests or sovereignty? This world is not all flowers and rainbows you know. China has real legitimate claims, not Japan. The sooner they recognize that, the better.

I would cross my fingers. Don't Japan have to fund its reconstruction as a priority and resolve decades of economic problems first?

Chaun, nobody respects China. Unless they come out of the closet clean, no one will ever respect China, regardless of how big, or how many people are there.

@Gurukun. Oh please. China does have respect from other countries. Are you living in a bubble or what? China is already earning some admiration. People look to China to maintain overall growth of the world economy.

CHuan, China can come and take them if they dare. Any war means no trade for China Dream on Chinese person, Soviet grade weapons are TRASH and with military failure the Communist party will fall.

@YuriOtani. It is only a war if Japan dares to attack China when it tries to build its PLA base on the Diaoyu Islands. Don't try to stop China from reinforcing its sovereignty. It is not worth to endanger Japan's security in doing so.

Respect is earned not blindly given. There is a lot of potential for China to be a real world power someday. However, there are many obstacles that first need to be overcome and one of the biggest ones in my opinion is how the majority of the world currently views China, Generally with a leering distrust at best and outright disdain/hatred at worst. It would behoove the PRC to think carefully about what kind of image they want to cultivate and proceed accordingly. remember that you get more with sugar than with vinegar. proclaming large areas of ocean and laying claim to islands based on "history" that is only known to the occupying nation is NOT a way to garner support and understanding from the international community. Unless of course, China WANTS to foster an image of a velvet gloved tyrant? Then by all means, proceed as usual...

@crustpunker. You cannot lecture China about respect when Japan has territorial disputes with South Korea, China, and Russia. And China does not need to compromise its national interests and sovereignty to appease the world to earn respect. Long-term it is not worth it.

CHuan and smithinjapan it would mean war with Japan and the United States. Any invasion force would be spotted and intercepted. There will be 2 US aircraft carriers, their task forces and add the Japanese self defense force. A small base on these islands makes sense. They are part of Okinawa and part of Japan. The island is too small for any real size base and no threat to China. The battle will be a land and air battle. This is where the Marines on Okinawa could help, provided they are all sent. Again these are our islands! China trying to take them means WAR! @YuriOtani. Keep dreaming, these are Chinese islands whether you like it or not.

Chuan. Japan won't be alone in containing China. She has the US strategic alliance at her back. Something China is and will continue to be ill prepared to face. Second Japan can and likely will form regional alliances with the Philippines, Korea and other nations who are equally concerned. Making a grand coalition devoted to assuring that China either plays nice with her neighbors or isolated. People are waking up to the fact that China is a threat. The good news is that many Chinese are also starting to see that their current form of government and its objectives are no in line with their personal 'westernized" ambitions. Meanwhile working class and lower working class Chinese are starting to see just how big the gap between government propaganda and reality is becoming. Internal strife alone may keep China in check. There are a dozen books on this topic alone. So try to paint Japan is a black a color as you can. The world is not afraid of Japan. The rise of the yens shows that the world has some considerable faith here still. But the world is rightfully growing very warry of China. And then you can consider how the Russians factor into this. I can tell you this much for certain, not on China's corner.

@tkoind2. Keep on dreaming that China is a threat. You will be very disappointed in the end. China is getting stronger day by day, month by month. China's influence is already being felt around the world and will only strengthen as time goes by.

@ tokyokawasaki. Japan is losing alot of respect when it has territorial disputes with its 3 neighbors. Don't try to act innocent in East Asia. China will gain respect whether you like it or not. Time is on China's side.

Listen, China has to earn respect. You do not gain respect just because you're growing. Also, other than exploiting it's own people to fuel it's growth, what has China done to earn respect?

Japan is losing alot of respect when it has territorial disputes with its 3 neighbors. Don't try to act innocent in East Asia. China will gain respect whether you like it or not. Time is on China's side.

Diplomacy first, but China needs to be put in check. That is an inescapable fact for every other nation in Asia. And by default of treaties, a problem for the US.

Better to put the wall up now before it is too late.

@ tkoind2. Actually it is Japan that needs to be put in check. Japan has territorial disputes with both Russia, South Korea, and China. That is endangering peace and stability in the region.

@ gaijintraveller. Indeed, Ishihara's remarks are irresponsible and does nothing but worsens Japan's diplomatic position in the region. @tkoind2. Too bad Japan won't be able to contain China as you have desired. Japan has too many domestic issues to work out. Accept reality and stop picking a fight with China. Such confrontation is detrimental to Japan's future. @Gurukun. The only comedians will be Japan's ultra-nationalists and others who want to challenge China.

That's a very provocative statement. Now Beijing would have no excuse but to deploy their PLA navy around the Diaoyu Islands and build their base on it quickly. You Japanese folks should learn to acknowledge and respect a rising China with its growing size and might. A small island nation of Japan can no longer challenge China. Japan should focus only on rebuilding itself and not give in to new fights with its neighbors readily.