Tue, August 14, 2012
By Yu Runze, Sina English
According to NHK news, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has warned that Japan will consider mobilizing the Self-Defense Forces(SDF) in response to violations of the nation's “sovereign territory including the Diaoyu Islands, “ during Diet questions on July 26, 2012.
Noda said it is important to prevent similar incidents through diplomatic efforts. But he added that the government will act decisively against any further “illegal entry” into the territory around the Diaoyu Islands or elsewhere, it would look to the SDF if necessary.
As to the “recent incursions of Chinese ships into territorial waters near theDiaoyu Islands in the East China Sea”, Noda remarked that “Japan has indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands”.It’s said that Noda was following the example of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to seek favor of voters. Japan's Jiji Press also noted that Noda’s declaration might seem to restrict China, but to “mobilize Self-Defense Force” would cause more fierce reactions from the Chinese side. ”
China has indiputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, and nobody is ever allowed to trade in China's territory,” said an official at a press conference at Chinese Embassy in Japan on July 26, 2012. Yang Yu, news counselor at Chinese Embassy in Japan, said that China has made stern representations with Japan over its recent provocations. Yang remarks that “the act of creating disputes on Diaoyu Islands is totally wrong and dangerous.”
Yang also answered questions about the newly established Sansha City in South China’s Hainan Province. He said “the establishment of Sansha City is totally within China China's sovereignty, and no country is allowed to interfere with Chinese internal affairs.”
On July 26, 2012, Tsunekazu Takeda, Chairman of the Japanese Olympic Committee, was elected as the International Olympic Committee member. Kyodo News Agency remarked that it would be positive for Tokyo’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. However, some senior Asian IOC members expressed their discontent on Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara’s intention to purchase the Diaoyu Islands. Ishihara has cancelled his visit to London for health reasons, which would “miss the direct communication with IOC.”
The prime minister also discussed concerns about the deployment to Japan of the US military's Osprey transport aircraft. He said he will make sure the aircraft's safety and make the aircraft’s crash record public, in order to soothe growing grievances of local communities. A local Okinawa newspaper remarks that local communities do not approve the deployment of Osprey with the only excuse is to ‘balance China threat’. Some Japanese Newspaper notes that if China continues its firm stand on the Diaoyu Islands, Japan would feel a mounting pressure to deal with China, Noda would face a dim future in his efforts to remain in power after September.
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