The Senkakus, Okinotori, and The South China Sea

The Senkakus, Okinotori, and The South China Sea--The Linkage among China's Maritime Disputes and Japan's Responses.

By: Dr. Yoichiro Sato, Associate Dean, International Cooperation and Research Department, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Abstract: The leaking of a video clip of the collision incident between a Chinese fishing boat and two Japanese Coast Guard patrol boats in 2010 led to an intense political confrontation between the two countries. Events since then have produced much harsh rhetoric despite signs of willingness on both sides not to let the issue spin out of government control. Meanwhile, similar intensification of maritime disputes have concurrently taken place in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines and China and Vietnam. Japan's distancing of itself from the South China Sea dispute as a neutral party in the past has shifted toward a more concerned position during the last three years. The subtlety of Japan's position cannot be explained simply in terms of commonality with these two Southeast Asian countries of having territorial disputes with China. A more detailed analysis of broader Japanese maritime interests is necessary to understand the Japanese stance on the South China Sea disputes.

Ticket Information
Free and open to the public

Event Sponsor
Center for Japanese Studies, SPAS, Mānoa Campus

More Information
956-2665, cjs@hawaii.edu, http://www.hawaii.edu/cjs, 9.21.12 flyer (PDF)

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