Joint statement evokes caution over territories

Hideki Kawasaki / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

The government is concerned Japan's stance on the northern territories dispute could be compromised by China and Russia cooperating and advancing their territorial claims through a signed joint statement on the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Specifically, some high-ranking government officials are worried about possible repercussions in the longstanding dispute over the northern territories between Japan and Russia.

In response, the government of Prime Minister Naoto Kan is prioritizing a review of the statement, in the belief this nation could end up playing into China's and Russia's hands if it overreacted, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

The relationship between Japan and China has worsened in the aftermath of the collision of a Chinese fishing boat with Japan Coast Guard vessels off the Senkaku Islands.

Over the years, the government has maintained there is no territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, which it says are an inherent part of Japan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku stressed at a press conference Monday that the nature of China's challenge to Japan over the Senkaku Islands is completely different from that of Japan's dispute with Russia over the northern territories.

Russia has yet to give its official view on the Senkaku matter, but if it sides with China, that country may be encouraged to act more aggressively, such as encroaching on the islands and its surrounding territories.

Meanwhile, the government insists that the northern territories--which comprise three islands and a group of islets--are part of Japan and have been illegally occupied.

Since summer, the Russian government has acted to stabilize its effective control over the territories by conducting military maneuvers on Etorofu Island, one of the islands.

One senior Foreign Ministry official said by signing the statement with China, Russia is extending diversionary moves against Japan.

Some observers also claim China and Russia are taking advantage of Japan at a time when its relations with the United States are strained by a dispute over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.