Edited to provide updated information.
In a deliciously interesting and mildly deranged proposal, Ishihara Shintaro has while in Washington told (日) the Japanese press that he is going to try and go forward with an idea to purchase the Senkaku Islands using Tokyo-to money. While technically part of Okinawa territory, the islands are actually owned by a private (Japanese citizen) investor.
What is the problem? Currently while the islands are under private ownership the Japanese government actually pays rent (日) to the private owner to ensure no development is done on them that would irrevocably preclude any future negotiation over the islands’ status by further strengthening Japan’s legal claim to continuous occupation and use/’effective control’ over the islands. For the time being they can avoiding “provoking” the Chinese government, contrary to the various unofficial diplomatic accommodations on what to do with the land, or how to deal with both Chinese and Japanese citizens who land there, that the two governments have. However, one assumes that Ishihara will not sit back like the owner and will try to develop the land and surrounding ocean areas, and maybe even encourage some brave souls to take up semi-permanent residence on the islands.
The government (whoever they will be) will be forced to either act against one of their own citizens and restrict the freedom of either purchase or development of private property, or risk the wrath of the Chinese government. If Japanese were annoyed that the DPJ government undermined Japan’s domestic rule of law and legal processes in 2010 by “caving” to the Chinese, then this would certainly throw the cat among the pigeons.
It may still be a long shot – there may be legal prohibitions I (or Ishihara) do not know about in terms of use of public money, and Ishihara has said he will need the permission of the city assembly to appropriate the funds. It is possible – although not certain – that the Tokyo-to assembly may feel that using city funds in order to support an individual’s own personal foreign policy is not the best look. Further evidence that Ishihara is not really the governor of Tokyo and is dancing to his own tune in terms of both domestic and now foreign policy.
H/T to Bryce Wakefield for the Jiji link.
Update: The government is staying mum on this issue, saying that the facts need to be checked about the proposal and the owner needs to be contacted. FM Genba has however reasserted that both historically and on the basis of international law the Senkakus are Japanese. A high-ranking MOFA official has apparently gone on record as saying that they doubt Ishihara will be able to get the proposal past the metropolitan assembly.
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Corey Wallace joined Japan Security Watch in 2011. He writes on Japan security-related topics, focusing on issues and stories that may not find their way into the English language media. He also hosts the blog Sigma1 where he writes on Japanese domestic politics and broader issues in international relations.
Prior to taking up a PhD Corey was a participant on the JET program (2004-2007) and on returning to New Zealand he worked at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology from 2007-2010 as a policy adviser. Corey lectures two courses at the University of Auckland. One is on the international relations of the Asia-Pacific, which contains a significant focus on East Asia security issues. The other is a course on China's international relations.
His primary academic interests before his current Japan focus were science and technology politics/policy, issues of ethnic identity, and Chinese modern history and politics. He carries over his interest in issues of identity and history into his PhD where he is looking at generationally situated concepts of national identity and their impact on foreign policy ideas in Japan.
Corey Wallace has 256 post(s) on Japan Security Watch
11 comments
Avery says:
Apr 16, 2012
A very George Bush-style adventure that matches Ishihara's personality. Can't wait to see where he goes with this.
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Corey Wallace says:
Apr 18, 2012
I think in this case there is a valid point hidden in there among all of the insane "bluster" like accusing China of having "half-way" declared war. If he goes through with it I would hate to be the government!
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arkhangelsk says:
Apr 16, 2012
I don't always like Shidehara, but if the Japanese are at all interested in keeping those islands, this kind of thing is the correct move.
Every day disputed islands are left in an amorphous state is a minor victory for China. With its growing power, the later the final settlement is made, the less likely it'll be to the advantage of the Japanese. Deng Xiaoping understands this perfectly well and thus he suggested tabling the issue in his time and hoping the next generation would be better. The Japanese, medium-sighted business animals they are, AGREED… hah (Maybe there was some American pressure involved, but they should have gone back to it and rolled over the Chinese claim when the Chinese made that PR-fiasco known as Tianammen)
Their (not to mention the other powers in the South China Sea) only real chance now is to occupy it to such an extent the Chinese will look like nothing but a military invader for trying to get it back. Inhabiting it is also correct from the perspective of using it to generate that nice EEZ circle.
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Tri-ring says:
Apr 16, 2012
Although I agree with him somewhat it also is a strong signal that nationalism maybe going over drive.
Let's step back a bit, the government is losing face left and right not being decisive in their position about any subject including foreign relationship.
Japanese are also fed up with the talks about the eminent tax hick which both DJP and LDP agrees and are talking about merging to push it through to make it a law.
Hashimoto and Ishihara talks about creating a new party to oust DJP from power.
The world economy is in a belly roll that may lead to a head spin.
This kind of stun is the worst kind for peace coming at the worst timing.
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arkhangelsk says:
Apr 17, 2012
What does one expect from Shidehara, if not nationalism?
This may not be a good time, but this point implies that there will a better time, and there is no guarantee, or even much reason to believe, that an "ideal time" will come in the near future. In the long run, short of China collapsing into civil war, the later someone does this, the more China can retaliate. Thus, if Japan is going to do this at all, it has to do it right about … now.
As for that tax hick, it is not popular but ultimately it has to be done. The only other way is to massively cut the budget, starting with social security and that will be even less popular.
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Corey Wallace says:
Apr 18, 2012
Shidehara? If only Japan still had a thinker like Shidehara Kijuro still around!
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Links 4/17/12 « naked capitalism says:
Apr 17, 2012
[...] Ishihara Shintaro Proposes the Purchase of the Senkaku Islands Japan Security Watch. “Deliciously interesting and mildly deranged.” [...]
Mark says:
Apr 17, 2012
It appears Noda is also proposing of buying the islands, per Japan Times' article.
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Corey Wallace says:
Apr 18, 2012
Yeah that might be the quickest way to end the issue. That said apparently the owner is quite partial to selling to Ishihara, so it is possible that a "legislative" solution may have to be found/threatened. Will see.
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Japan’s Regional Security Environment and Possibilities for Conflict | σ1 says:
Jul 14, 2012
[...] missile attack. Finally, Noda has also pushed forward on the previously identified proposal of ‘nationalizing’ the Senkaku Islands, where the government takes over ownership from the current private owner. This is clearly focused [...]
Japan’s Regional Security Environment and Possibilities for Conflict | Asia Security Watch says:
Jul 22, 2012
[...] missile attack. Finally, Noda has also pushed forward on the previously identified proposal of ‘nationalizing’ the Senkaku Islands, where the government takes over ownership from the current private owner. This is clearly focused [...]