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Japan to name
uninhabited islets in disputed area
AP, TOKYO
Japan has decided to name several uninhabited islands in a group also claimed by
Taiwan and China, a move likely to anger its neighbors.
Japan¡¦s chief government spokesperson said yesterday that the 39 uninhabited
islands would be given names by the end of March.
The islands all are within what Japan claims as its exclusive economic zone.
However, four of them are in the Diaoyutai Islands (³¨³½¥x), known as the Senkakus
in Japan, which are also claimed by Taiwan and China.
Soichi Yamagata, an official with the Japanese Cabinet office, said the names
would be used for new maps. He said the islets are within Japan¡¦s established
exclusive economic zone and would not change any maritime boundaries.
He said the move was not intended to stir debate about ownership of the islands.
Japan has long claimed the islands as its own.
The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are regularly occupied by
nationalists from both sides.
Ties between Japan and China have been strained for years over the island
dispute, a contested gas field in the East China Sea and lingering animosity
over Japan¡¦s often brutal World War II-era occupation of China.
In Taipei, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson James Chang (³¹p¥) said the
ministry was aware of the media reports and had instructed the Taipei Economic
and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to look into the matter.
¡§We will lodge a protest with Japan immediately if the report is verified. We
urge Japan to refrain from making such a move to avoid any harmful impact on
Taiwan-Japan relations,¡¨ Chang told the Taipei Times.
The government strongly opposes any infringement of the nation¡¦s sovereign
territory in the form of words or deeds, Chang said.
¡§The Diaoyutai Islands are the inherent territory of the nation and the islets
are administered as part of Toucheng Township (ÀY«°), Yilan County,¡¨ he said.
The government has and will continue to handle the issue with the principle that
it is willing to set aside disputes over sovereignty to work with other
countries to jointly explore resources and promote reciprocity, he said.
¡§We wish that all parties concerned can work together to contribute to peace and
stability in the region,¡¨ he said.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
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