Okinawa adopts resolution in protest against Senkaku dispute

Japan Press Weekly

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Okinawa adopts resolution in protest against Senkaku dispute

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on September 28 unanimously adopted a resolution in protest against a Chinese fishing boat's intrusion into Japan's territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands.

It also adopted a unanimous resolution protesting the Japanese government's handling of the incident.

In the resolution, which will be sent to China's president and its ambassador to Japan, the prefectural assembly stated that the Chinese government in 1920 described the Senkakus as Japan's territory in its letter to residents of Okinawa's Ishigaki Island. "There is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands belong to Ishigaki City within our nation's territory and in Okinawa's administrative district," it stressed.

It demands China's careful and calm response in order to prevent similar incidents from happening.

The resolution to the Japanese government demands the following: to show China and the rest of the world that the Senkakus are part of Japan's territory; to take appropriate measures to ensure the freedom and safety of domestic fishermen; to protest to the Chinese government and take preventive measures through peaceful diplomacy with China.

The Ishigaki City Assembly adopted a similar resolution on the same day.

- Akahata, September 29, 2010