Japan has decided to deport 14 Chinese activists who were arrested after landing on an island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. The activists landed on the island in the East China Sea on Wednesday, planting a Chinese flag and singing the country’s national anthem before being arrested and accused of violating Japanese immigration laws. […]
Japan Recalls S. Korean Ambassador over Visit to Disputed Islands
Posted August 10th, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Japan has recalled its ambassador to South Korea to protest South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak’s visit to a group of islands claimed by both countries. Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Friday that Mr. Lee’s visit was “utterly unacceptable,” and would have a “strong impact” on South Korean-Japan relations. “In protest, we are temporarily pulling […]
Japan Summons S. Korean Envoy over Visit to Disputed Islands
Posted August 10th, 2012 at 2:45 am (UTC-5)
Japan has summoned South Korea’s ambassador to Tokyo after South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak visited a group of disputed islands that lie between the two countries. Before Mr. Lee landed on the islands Friday, Tokyo officials had urged Seoul to call off the visit. Japanese Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the action could impact South […]
S. Korean President Visits Disputed Islands
Posted August 10th, 2012 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
A long-running dispute between South Korea and Japan was resurrected Friday, when South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak visited a group of contested islands that lie between the two countries. Before Mr. Lee landed on the islands, Tokyo officials urged Seoul to call off the visit. Japanese Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the action could impact […]
Japan Considers Buying Disputed Islands
Posted July 7th, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says his government is considering buying islands in the East China Sea that are also claimed by China. Mr. Noda told reporters in the northeastern city of Iwaki Saturday that the government is in contact with the Japanese citizen who owns the islands about buying them next year. The islands […]
Russian Visit to Disputed Islands Irks Japan
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has made a repeat trip to one of four islands claimed by both Russia and Japan, prompting Japan to complain to Russia’s ambassador in Tokyo. Mr. Medvedev visited the island of Kunashir, which is in the island chain Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories. He […]
China Planning Tourism Package in Disputed Islands
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 12:00 pm (UTC-5)
A Chinese provincial official says the country is planning for tourism development on a set of islands in the South China Sea that are claimed by both China and Vietnam. The tourism plan, announced by Hainan provincial Vice-Governor Tan Li, comes as tensions continue to rise across Southeast Asia over competing maritime claims to vast […]
China Releases 21 Vietnamese Fishermen
Posted April 21st, 2012 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
China says it has released 21 Vietnamese fisherman who were detained more than a month ago in a disputed area of the South China Sea. China’s official Xinhua news agency reported Friday the men were released after signing a written guarantee. Xinhua said the guarantee was a pledge “not to infringe on China’s maritime rights, […]
China Defends Arrest of Vietnamese Fishermen Near Disputed Islands
Posted March 22nd, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
China has defended its detention of 21 Vietnamese fishermen in a disputed area of the South China Sea, after Vietnam called for their immediate release. The fishermen were detained recently near the Paracel Islands, which are controlled by China but claimed by Vietnam. Vietnam’s foreign ministry on Wednesday demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of […]
China Detains Vietnamese Fishermen in New South China Sea Dispute
Posted March 21st, 2012 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
Chinese authorities have detained 21 Vietnamese fishermen near a contested island in the latest territorial dispute in the potentially oil-rich South China Sea. A Vietnamese official said Wednesday that Chinese authorities intercepted two fishing boats on March 3 near the Paracel Islands, which are controlled by China but claimed by Vietnam. He said Beijing is […]
