Japan follows `Dokdo strategy` in island row with China

The Japanese government`s response to the sovereignty conflict with China over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu in Chinese) is an apparent reminiscence of Japan`s claim to Korea`s Dokdo islets.

Rep. Akihisa Nagashima of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan said in a current affairs program of Fuji TV on Monday, "The more we talk, the faster China will bring the sovereignty conflict to the public stage. It is important to quietly but resolutely restrain (China`s) provocation to effectively take control."

Japanese media reported a high-ranking member of the party as saying, "We don`t need to make a fuss since we are steadily accumulating our dominance."

Comments by key Japanese officials are an anti-movement against what Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said April 16 that he will buy Senkaku with his prefecture`s budget.

The Japanese government had appeared to agree with Ishihara until last week. In a news briefing, chief government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said such a scenario would be an option if necessary.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also told a meeting of the lower house budget committee, "We will examine the possibility after identifying the intentions of the Senkaku owner," hinting at nationalization of the islands.

China and Taiwan are resisting the move, however, saying Ishihara`s comments are unacceptable. With the conflict on the verge of escalating into an international-scale row, Japan has changed its attitude.

Tokyo`s shift of stance reflects its strategy to restrain the sovereignty dispute from turning into a global issue while solidifying its effective dominance. A diplomatic expert in Japan said, "The issue coming to the fore is just what China wants."

Right-wing forces in Japan, however, have blasted their government`s response. The major daily Sankei Shimbun said Monday, "Passing by as if nothing is wrong and will only aggravate the situation."

Others say Japan is being overly sensitive ahead of the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations with China that falls this year and the Korea-China-Japan summit to open next month in Beijing.

bae2150@donga.com