The Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands: A Hotbed for a Hot War?

Abstract

During the tenure of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro, April 2001 through September 2006, relations between Japan and China consisted of an uninterrupted series of disagreements and confrontations. In the words of James Mulvenon, Asia specialist at the Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis in Washington, DC, “This could possibly be the worst period of Sino-Japanese relations since World War II.”² During this period, Sino-Japanese relations were tested by many issues, including visits by Japanese Prime Minister to the ceremonial Yasukuni Shrine³ and oil drilling rights with respect to disputed territory in the East China Sea, etc.⁴ Among these disputes, the territorial boundary in the East China Sea was a fundamental issue with respect to which neither the Japanese nor the Chinese government was willing to compromise. Japan’s uncompromising stance, which seems to have survived Koizumi’s departure from office, is largely influenced by neonationalist movements which have strengthened in political power, prevailing in politics, academic circles, and mass media. Moreover, as China has enjoyed economic expansion since 1978, Japan attempts to reverse economic stagnation since the bursting of its bubble economy in the 1990s. Ironically, the stronger China grows, the more jealous Japan becomes.

Note: Chinese and Japanese personal names are given in the text in the customary order of family name first. Works published in English by Chinese and Japanese authors, however, are given in the Western order of putting the surname last. (The chapter provides double Chinese/Japan pronunciations for Chinese characters as follows: C: Liuqiu/J: Ryukyu.) The author appreciates the extremely valuable comments and useful suggestions from Dr. Ann Brucklacher and Mr. Dusty Clark. Needless to say, the author is solely responsible for any mistakes in the final version of this research.