Diaoyutai Islands
The Diaoyutai Islands are composed of eight uninhabited islands
located 90 miles west of Okinawa, 40 miles northeast of Taiwan. Okinawa
and the mainland of China are both located approximately the same distance
away, which is about 200 nautical miles.
Former prime minister, Kiichi Miyawzawa stated that Japan claims the
islands to be their indigenous territory; moreover, the Diaoyutai Islands
were considered as a part of the Okinawa prefecture for a long time. In
addition, there is no doubt that under historical evidence and international
law, the Diaoyutai Islands have definitely been Japanese territory since 1895.
This is after Japan attained jurisdiction over the islands under the treaty of
Shimonoseki after the Ching Dynasty was defeated in Sino-Japan war. In fact,
there is also affirmation that Japan acquired the Islands with Okinawa when
they annexed in 1879.
Some cite Chinese documents back from the 16th century, ruled by the Ming
Dynasty or the geographical location as evidence to support their arguments
of claim. Yet, that is not a legitimate reason to claim sovereignty over the
islands. Hence, formal recognition of Japanese Sovereignty with legal support
seems to be the most legitimate of all.
However, as different perspectives concerning the Diaoyutai Islands arose,
it soon evolved into a conflict: Japan, Taiwan, and People's Republic of China,
all three of them now claim the islands to be in their possession. This
conflict first became visible and grew into a focal point of debate when the
Economical and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific announced large
deposit of petroleum and natural gas discovered in that region in 1969.
Nevertheless, as the history unfolds, with chronicle background and
international law, Japan still strongly claims sovereignty over the Diaoyutai
Islands.
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