Japan to create dedicated Senkaku coast guard unit The Japan Coast Guard is poised to set up its first dedicated unit to prepare for potential conflict with China over the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu or Diaoyutai) islands in the East China Sea, according to Kyodo News. After the Japanese government nationalized the islands in September 2012, Chinese aircraft and vessels have conducted routine patrols around the area. Between January and August, Chinese patrols entered the disputed waters 54 times, fewer than the number in the latter half of 2013. Kyodo News noted increased patrols in August, however. In response, the Japan Coast Guard has decided to create a Senkaku unit with 600 personnel and two large patrol vessels. Sato Yuji, head of the coast guard, said that the unit will defend Japanese territorial waters from intrusions by Chinese patrol ships and fishing boats. Asked about the activities of a Chinese oceanographic research ship in the area between Sept. 7-8, sources from the Japanese government said that Tokyo had lodged a protest with the Chinese embassy. In line with routine, the Chinese ambassador Cheng Yonghua rejected the protest and said the islands belong to China and the operations of Chinese vessels does not violate international law. Japan does not officially recognize the existence of a dispute over the territory. [Image: A standoff between Chinese and Japanese coast guard vessels near the islands on July 12, 2012, shortly before Japan nationalized them.]
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 09:45:15 +0000
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