Tokyo governor risks Chinese outrage with disputed island construction plan

The Telegraph ^ | 10/5/2012 | Julian Ryall in Tokyo

[bruinbirdman]

The hawkish governor of Tokyo intends to push ahead with a plan to construct port facilities on disputed islands, a move that would inevitably trigger renewed outrage in China.

Uotsuri Island, one of disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea

Allies of Shintaro Ishihara have confirmed that he is demanding that harbour facilities be constructed on the remote islands, which Japan calls the Senkakus but China insists are the Diaoyu islands, along with a lighthouse and a radio transmitter.

The development would be to provide a place of refuge for Japanese fishermen operating in waters around the islands, the officials told Reuters, although the suspicion is that Governor Ishihara is seeking a final showdown to determine ownership of the uninhabited islands.

China has previously stated that it is firmly opposed to any efforts to develop the islands and on Thursday, in an apparent show of force, a fleet of seven warships sailed between two of the islands of the Okinawan archipelago.

A further eight fisheries patrol vessels were also being tracked close to the Senkaku islands.

Responding to a warning from a Japan Coast Guard vessel to respect Japanese territorial waters, the Chinese ships replied that the islands are an inherent part of China and that the fleet was carrying out legitimate public duties.

The simmering recent three-way dispute over the islands – which Taiwan also claims and knows as the Tiaoyutai – was brought to the boil in April when Governor Ishihara announced that he was in talks with the Japanese family that owned three of the four islands in the chain.

Appealing for donations from like-minded citizens, Gov. Ishihara quickly amassed Y1.8 billion (£14.18 million)

[berdie]

I don’t see much reported about this except on FR.

It could very well end being a very big, not so good deal.

[RaisingCain]

I’ve read some speeches from Chinese generals that would make a Nazi blush. Let the Japanese stick it to em with these ports, and if the Chinese have a problem, let them prove that they are the superior race. Someone needs to put these bullies in their place.

[Vince Ferrer]

Two countries that hate each other, each has moved onto islands the other claims, with oil and gas around the islands which both need, with two bad economies and populations which need to be distracted from their economic problems. What could go wrong?