Why is Japan having territorial disputes with neighbors?

Japan has territorial disputes with all of its neighbors -- Korea, China and Russia.

Tokyo has taken a rather passive stance over its dispute with Beijing over the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyutai Islands in China) since September last year and with Moscow on the Kuril Islands (known as the Northern Territories in Japan) since November.

Japan, however, is waging an especially provocative campaign for Dokdo. Analysts say harsh internal criticism on the Japanese government`s poor handling of the Senkaku and Kuril disputes by the ruling Democratic Party of Japan has prompted Tokyo to take a stronger stance on Dokdo.

Some say Japan`s sovereignty challenge is more a result of its elaborate diplomatic strategy.

jkmas@donga.com