Escalating Conflict Between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands

The Senkaku Islands (尖閣諸島) are uninhabited islands belonging to Okinawa Prefecture, and the Japanese government maintains that these islands are indisputably Japan's inherent territory, both historically and under international law. However, since the 1970s, when the possibility of oil deposits around the Senkaku Islands was suggested, the Chinese government began claiming that these islands had been Chinese territory since ancient times.

China asserts its claim to sovereignty based on the inclusion of the Senkaku Islands in ancient documents and maps, as well as their geographical proximity to mainland China. However, there is no evidence that China discovered these islands before any other country, and simply discovering or being close to an island is not grounds for claiming sovereignty. Under international law, to be recognized as having territorial rights, a country must demonstrate that it has continuously and peacefully exercised sovereignty with a clear intention to possess the territory.

However, China has yet to provide any evidence that it has effectively governed the Senkaku Islands. Instead, China's continued show of military force has prompted a strong response from the Japanese government. In September 2012, when the Japanese government transferred ownership of three islands (Uotsuri Island, Kita Kojima, and Minami Kojima) from private to public hands, China's Coast Guard vessels have been entering the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands almost daily, excluding adverse weather conditions. Several times a month, they also encroach on Japan's territorial waters.

Furthermore, in January 2021, China enacted the Coast Guard Law, which outlines the authority and jurisdiction of its Coast Guard. This law contains problematic provisions that are inconsistent with international law, including vague descriptions of applicable areas and authorization to use weapons. It is a worrisome situation as it could infringe on the legitimate interests of related countries, including Japan. Chinese Coast Guard vessels continue to attempt unilateral changes to the status quo in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands, such as approaching Japanese fishing boats and encroaching on territorial waters with armed vessels.

The Japanese government maintains its position that the Senkaku Islands are indisputably Japan's inherent territory, both historically and under international law, and that Japan currently exercises effective control over them. Therefore, Japan asserts that there is no territorial dispute regarding the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese government is demanding that Chinese Coast Guard vessels leave the area, lodging strong protests with the Chinese government through diplomatic channels and demanding an immediate withdrawal and prevention of recurrence. The government’s policy is to calmly and firmly respond while asserting its claims.