REACTION

Going forward, what seems likely to have a much more chilling effect — both psychological and practical — in Japan’s economy and politics is uncertainty about the escalating dispute with China over the Diaoyu Islands. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, honorary professor of international politics at the University of Tokyo, said the government’s purchase of the Diaoyu Islands would make little material difference, other than to irritate Beijing. “But I don’t think it’s a wise decision. It’s as if Japan is picking a fight,” he said. China, and Japan for that matter, should exercise self-restraint in the issue. It is imperative for both to look at the big picture and seek ways that will bring mutual benefits. Mr Ishihara was irresponsible in the first place. Because the metropolitan government has no power over diplomacy, defense and maritime safety, it would not be able to cope with the deterioration of the Japan-China relationship if it purchased the islets. (In Japan and South Korea) some politicians seem to be using the island disputes to further their agendas ahead of elections or to divert attention from thornier topics. Manipulation of popular opinion among island disputants … is raising the chances of violence by either accident or miscalculation. Such an outcome would seriously threaten the fragile tranquility that has helped catapult tens of millions of Asians from poverty to prosperity. US Naval War College professor Toshi Yoshihara said the US position is complicated by a 1960 treaty pledging a US military response to an attack on Japanese-administered territories. US officials have said they see the disputed islands as part of the territories covered by that defense treaty. But they have refused to elaborate on what circumstances would trigger US military intervention. Yoshihara said Washington does not want to say anything that could encourage Japan to confront China. But he said the US approach also makes some Japanese policymakers uncomfortable.