Japan considers option to permanently deploy state employees on Senkaku Islands

Japan’s government considers an option of permanent deployment of state employees on Senkaku Islands, as stated by the Secretary General of Japan’s Cabinet Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday. “This is one of the options,” Suga noted. At the same time, the country’s Secretary General underlined that “Japan will decisively protect its territory and national waters.” The situation around Senkaku Islands that China calls Diaoyu Islands and considers its own territory continues to deteriorate while Japan is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of their nationalization. Earlier on Tuesday Japan expressed concern and urged China to refrain from air drone flights near Senkaku Islands. On Monday, September 9, Japan’s Self-Defense Force fighter planes were put on alert due to a possible interception by unmanned aircraft. The Japanese Defense Ministry stated that the drone did not violate the airspace of the country, but this type of aircraft was registered in the area for the first time. Japan’s Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera stressed today that “Self-Defense Force of Japan enforced control over these territories” due to the forthcoming anniversary on Wednesday. Meanwhile, eight ships of Chinese naval police entered simultaneously the area near Senkaku, which is considered by Japan as its national waters. Japan’s Foreign Ministry already expressed its protest to China in this regard. This was the most massive entry of Chinese ships in this area since April 2013. Senkaku Islands were annexed by Japan late in 19th century. Tokio claims that they didn’t belong to anybody and were uninhabited. However, Beijing believes that Diaoyu were unlawfully occupied together with Taiwan Isle as a result of Japan’s aggression. In September 2012, Tokio purchased these islands from their previous private owners, Japanese citizens. This triggered massive uproar in China and led to anti-Japanese demonstrations.