SENKAKUS/DIAOYUTAI

GOVERNMENT TO MAKE BID FOR SENKAKUS

China, Taiwan enraged; owner still plans to sell islets to Tokyo

Kyodo

The Japan Times, July 8, 2012

The government is preparing to buy part of the disputed Senkaku Islands from a private owner to increase its control over the chain in the East China Sea, government sources said Saturday.

Taiwan and China reacted sharply to the news, as both claim sovereignty over the islands.

The government has already started making arrangements with the owner and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which announced its own plan to purchase some of the islets in April, the sources said.

Analysts say the latest move to put the Senkakus under state control appears intended to demonstrate Japan's uncompromising stance on the sovereignty issue.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda simply told reporters that his government will deal with the issue "comprehensively."

State officials, including Noda's special aide, Akihisa Nagashima, notified the metropolitan government Friday of its plan to buy Uotsuri, the largest of the islets, as well as nearby Kitakojima and Minamikojima, according to the sources and Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara.

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