Japan Coast Guard uses water canons against Taiwanese activists trying to reach Senkakus

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Adam Westlake in Features, National with 25 Comments
Japan Coast Guard uses water canons against Taiwanese activists trying to reach Senkakus

A boat full of activists set sail from Taiwan on Thursday morning intending to reach the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, currently under Japanese control, but claimed by China, as well as Taiwan. The vessel is being accompanied by several Taiwanese Coast Guard ships, and are now being warned by the Japan Coast Guard to turn back, while still roughly 28 nautical miles from the disputed territory.

The seven individuals on the fishing boat are said to be on their way to plant a statue of a sea goddess believed to protect those at sea. A spokesman from the Taiwanese Coast Guard has denied that this was an organized flotilla, but says that their ships will go wherever the fishing boat sails in order to offer protection and defend their sovereignty. Calling the islands Tiaoyutai, Taiwan says the waters of the territory are vital to its fishing industry.

Eight Japan Coast Guard patrol ships are now said to be trying to prevent the fishing boat and Taiwanese vessels from advancing any further. After issuing calls to turn back, Japan fired water canons in warning. That same action was taken in September of last year, after several Taiwanese Coast Guard tried to enter the disputed waters. While actions such as these from Taiwan have been very minimal since tensions erupted between the three Asian countries, China has been much more aggressive in defending its claims, with several escalations in the last week, including intrusions from Chinese patrol ships and increasing talk of military actions and preparations for war.

[via SCMP]
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  • Whirled Peas

    The Taiwanese activists should turn around and sail back to Taiwan, have a nice hot meal with their families, then spend six months in the excellent Taiwan libraries doing unbiased research on the history of the Diaoyu / Tiaoyu /Senkakus islands. If they are seekers of the truth I believe they will conclude there is no convincing evidence that Ming nor Qing dynasties ever had sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Tiaoyu/Senkaku . Nor did Taiwan ever have sovereignty over the D/T/S Islands in any of Taiwan’s incarnations (neither pre-1683, NOR post 1683 when the Qing started exerting nominal authority over the island of Taiwan, NOR after 1887 when the Qing finally got serious and made Taiwan a province with Liu Ming-ch’uan as its governor, NOR 1895-1945 when the Japanese controlled Taiwan, NOR post-1949 when Chiang-kai Shek and the Chinese Nationalists controlled Taiwan under marshall law. And remember, by 1895 Japan had already incorporated the D/T/S islands into the Ryukyus (via Terra Nullius, NOT as war booty), and rented land to the Koga family, who set up various businesses and employed workers on the island,– so, the Senkakus were no longer available for claiming after 1895 anyway, because Japan already had effective control over the islands!

    And just what were the boundaries of Taiwan during the Qing authority? Chinese documents regarding Taiwan during the Qing dynasty described the northern end of Taiwan as the land mass which is the present-day HOPING ISLAND. (Reference: History of Taiwan (1696) and The Sequel to the History of Taiwan (1765). And there is no record of islands north of Hoping having been attached to Taiwan, under Qing rule.

    Furthermore, as late as 1970, the Republic of China maps and textbooks showed the Senkakus as part of the territory of Japan. The ROC changed their maps/textbooks the following year or two after oil was discovered around the D/T/S islands. And now, astoundingly, Taiwan says the D/T/S are administered via Toucheng in Yilan County, Taiwan. Huh??? Sounds suspiciously like Taiwan is trying to appear like they’ve had control for awhile, but when did that so-called proof of control start? In 2012 or 2013? And at whose suggestion was that tactic? In any event, I’d say the evidence of Japanese effective control since 1895 (with a hiatus betw 1951 and 1972 when the islands were under US admin) TRUMPS any attempts by countries who ( with ” 20-20 hindsight”) wish they had claimed what they had thought were insignificant islands. Who knows, these islands may not have oil under them or it might not be worth the cost of exploring, and all this may be much ado about nothing, except some kind of misplaced national pride and the wish to turn back the clock and split hairs about old treaties.

    • Taiwanese

      You are quite arrogant. The Diaoyu(tai) still has the remains of Taiwanese fishman. It’s logic that fishmen in Taiwan to sail only 180km to reach there. On the contrary, Japan is 1000 km away. I see people like grabbing his or her head trying to find solid evidence at library here.

      In the 70′s, there are even News reporters lived in the island for a short period of time.

      Taiwan is quite tolerant about Japanese arrogance. I say no more. Chinese across the Straits will unite in the near future to claim back what was our rightful belongings.

      • Far East

        It is you who seem ignorant my friend.

        The only occupation of those territories was by the Japanese with a Bonito Japanese manufacturies from 1900 to 1940. Before that it was Terra Nullius (ie no man’s land) and after that there could not possibly be ANYONE living there.

        The distance from Taiwan has NOTHING to do with it, at least from an international law perspective. If you want to maintain that stance, then you should say that the Ishigaki islands, recognized part of the Okinawa prefecture are also the Taiwanese territories since they are roughly 100 km from Taiwan…. Seriously get real.

        • Taiwanese

          When Taiwan was under Japanese occupation Diaoyu(tai) was under Taiwan’s administration. Japan’s claim to Diaoyu was that it was a part of Okinawa which was occupied by Japan in 1872 but Japan official record says that Diaoyu was annexed in 1895 which was the same year Japan annexed Taiwan. Judging from the difference between 1872 and 1895. You will realize the self contradictory statement by Japan.

          • Far East

            That Taiwan was under occupation by Japan after the Shimonoseki Treaty of 1895 has nothing to do with the fact that it was Terra Nullius before and that since that date it became Japanese Territory.

            Actually you are self-contradicting yourself, since, strictly speaking you say that those islands were under Taiwan administration when Taiwan was under Japanese territory…. Do you see the contradiction ?

            Japanese Givernment officially integrated the Senkaku in 1895, not 1872. If you want to quote the Japanese Government, please do so properly by checking their Ministry of Foreign Affairs site here : http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/senkaku/fact_sheet.html

            My opinion is that Taiwan and Japan are friendly nations to one another, and since Taiwan is only after fishing rights and nothing else, they should have little difficulties to work out a deal. Taiwanese are great people and so are the Japanese, so there is hope !

          • Whirled Peas

            I see no contradiction. Okinawa was annexed in 1872, and the Senkakus was later annexed in 1895 after making sure it was terra nullius and administration went to Okinawa, the closest prefecture. There is no evidence, as I pointed out in the original post, that Taiwan was administering the D/T/S islands at the time China ceded Taiwan to Japan via the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, nor that Qing China had ever attached the Senkakus to Taiwan. And if you are saying that Japan gave the islands to Taiwan to administer while Japan controlled Taiwan (1895 to 1945), well, that’s really not correct. The Senkakus were administered by Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture during that period and then again when Okinawa and the islands reverted back to Japan in 1972. Best wishes, WP

          • Far East

            Taiwanese has made a new comment replying indirectly to us stating propaganda in a vain attempt we would not notice…. Really pathetic isn’t it ?

        • Taiwanese

          The US were against Okinwans will and didn’t hold any democratic way ie to let Okinwans decide their own future was a great mistake. Look what Japanese treated Okinwans as second class citizen and indifferent to their suffering can prove my point.

          • Far East

            You wrote :
            “The US were against Okinwans will and didn’t hold any democratic way ie to let Okinwans decide their own future was a great mistake. Look what Japanese treated Okinwans as second class citizen and indifferent to their suffering can prove my point.”

            Besides the fact that this is domestic affair to Japan and has nothing to do with Japan rights over its sovereignty, I travel often to Okinawa, and can assure you they are very proud Japanese, and in no way considered 2nd class citizens !
            They do, however, feel unfairness at the burden of hosting the U.S. military, on which I completely sympathize.

          • Whirled Peas

            @Far East: Is there any plan to move the military base or part of it somewhere else? Also, I’ve never been to Okinawa and I was surprised to hear Taiwanese say they are considered 2nd class. The Okinawan-Americans I know are proud to have Okinawan origins but consider themselves definitely Japanese.

          • Far East

            Not that I know of. There are some plan to move some parts of U.S. army somewhere else in Okinawa, but that’s about it.

            The location of Okianwa in Asia Pacific makes it strategic for the military, both Japanese and U.S. Guam is too far away to offer a realistic immediate response time.

            One has to remember that this is the people from Ishigaki (Okinawa Prefecture), in charge of the Senkaku, who declared the 14th of January the ‘Pioneering Day’ enforcing their sovereignty over this territory….

            Chinese loves to distort history and facts, but they should remember that during the time the Kingdom of the Ryukyu (now Okianwa) exchanged with the former China, that is over a 507 years span, China visited the Ryukyu only 23 times (once every 23 years), while the people from the Ryukyu travelled to China 580 times ! If there are ones who used the Senkaku as a marker, that is the people from Okinawa ! Anyway, I realize I have drifted away from your original question :-)

          • Whirled Peas

            Thanks very much for the information. Drifting is completely okay! Glad you mentioned the info on the number of voyages China took to the Ryukyu in 507 years (23) vs. the number the seafaring Ryukyuans took to China (580). Good data.

          • Far East

            I think, but this is a completely different topic, that the Prefecture of Okinawa, should be granted a special status and tax incientive privileges to compensate for the burden of hosting all those military. This would push a lot of companies to move their operation to Okinawa, which is much safer for earthquake by the way !

          • Whirled Peas

            Yes, there should be some kind of compensation to people who live in Okinawa prefecture for having to put up with the noise, hazardous aircraft and unruly soldiers I keep hearing about. Yes, maybe a reduced income or sales tax for residents or cheaper gas and electricity or free internet (!). Business incentives are a good idea too; I’m also sure they would appreciate the government making every effort to control pollution and to keep the terrain beautiful as I hear it is. And how about a monthly coupon for a free “shave ice ;-)

          • Whirled Peas

            Hi Taiwanese. There are countless examples of countries taking over other countries with little regard for their culture, or one group dominating another. Look at what happened to the aboriginal people of Taiwan when the Qing dynasty started to exert authority over the island or to the Chinese people who were part of Taiwan before the KMT fled to Taiwan and took over in 1949 and imposed martial law. And look at the disparities between the Han Chinese and other ethnic groups in China. Look at what the US did when they took over the Hawaiian islands. I see that you are a person of conscience by the fact you are concerned by unequal treatment. I know there is an independence movement in Okinawa. But it is now an affair for Okinawans and Japan (which has had effective control over Okinawa for over 100 years) to work out themselves without the interference of outside agitation of other countries, some of whom may opportunistically wish to have Okinawa for themselves. Best wishes, WP

          • Whirled Peas

            @ Taiwanese again. What I neglected to add is that as far as Okinawa goes, from what I’ve read and heard, it seems to have preserved many aspects of its native culture, and in fact, many mainland Japanese nationals who have relocated to the Okinawa Pref. have also adopted certain aspects of the rich culture of Okinawa since culture is transmitted both ways. Some of the younger generation of Okinawans are even trying to learn and preserve some of the old dialects and are working to ressurect other aspects of the culture. Japanese culture and language is of course dominant, but it seems the Japanese people sincerely appreciate and respect and encourage the traditional Okinawan culture. And whatever problems the Okinawans experience is a domestic affair, not one that other countries should try to exploit.

            As far as your concern that the US didn’t give the Okinawa Prefecture a way to “choose their future,” it made PERFECT SENSE to revert it back to Japan, which had incorporated Okinawa from 1872 to 1945 (for 75 years before the US took temporary control). Okinawa was still Japan’s legal territory in 1972 since none of the post-war treaties stipulated that Japan must relinquish territories acquired way back in 1872.
            WP

          • Taiwanese

            Well, domestic issue dont intervene. Sounds quite familiar, isn’t it?

            In fact, US president Roosevelt once proposed then ROC president Chiang Kai Shek to take OKINAWA, Chiang regarded it as a test to his ambition and replied that Taiwan should be returned and Okinawa shoulbe temporarily administered by US.

            so your argument proves to be void for the following reasons:

            1, Japan had to give up Taiwan to China (Then ROC) even it was annexed by Japan in 1895.

            2, Roosevelt didn’t think Okinawa belongs to Japan.

          • shanghainoon

            Are you out of mind or having nothing value to put into your argument? This isn’t about how Okinwans live or being treated, we are talking about the true owner of Senkaku and the provocation of Taiwanese & Chinese in Japan water.

      • Whirled Peas

        I’m very sorry if you take my words for arrogance. I only hope that people will fully study this issue. And I do understand that Taiwanese fisherman have been fishing the waters around the D/T/S for a long time. But then so have Japanese fisherman. The difference is like it or not, Japan actually claimed the islands fair and square in 1895. Moreover, no entity raised an objection until ca. 1970 when oil was discovered. In other words, the Japanese have exerted “effective control” over the islands for a very long time. It doesn’t matter if the islands are closer to Taiwan than to Japan.

        I fully empathize with concerns of the Taiwanese fishermen that they might lose access to those rich waters now that the Japanese gov’t has bought the islands, but when you think about it, the purchase of the islands doesn’t change anything because Japanese all along has had sovereignty or “residual sovereignty” (the fancy and confusing term used in the 1972 Okinawa Reversion Treaty). Japan has controlled the D/T/S islands 1895-1945 and then again from 1972, anyway. So I personally do not think the fishermen need feel threatened just because of the purchase. For years the Japanese have allowed Taiwanese to fish the island waters, but if they are made to feel the Taiwanese fishermen are not simply fishing, but trying to exert territorial control, then they will get defensive, naturally.

        I sympathize with the Taiwanese fishermen, and I think the fact they have fished the waters for a long time puts them in an excellent position to negotiate generous rights to the waters. Actually, this bickering about who owns the islands is a big distraction. If Japan didn’t feel it had to spend resources defending its property it could spend more time coming to an amicable and generous agreement on the use of the waters for joint fishing.

        Actually, I have people in my family who make their living by ocean fishing (yellow fin, albacore, rock cod, halibut, all those yummy fish). They travel three days out to the fishing spots off the California coast, and they spend another six days or more on the water. They are pretty independent folk. Their goal is to catch fish for taking to the market and for canning. They DON”T CARE WHO owns the waters or any islands in it. They just want access to the waters so they can make their living. It seems to me this territorial bickering should stop in favor of focusing on supporting the Taiwanese fishermen access to the waters. And then Japanese and Taiwanese can fish side by side in friendship — sustainably, of course :-)

        • Far East

          I always enjoy reading your comments. Well structured and founded.

          • Whirled Peas

            Thanks! Likewise.

  • Taiwanese

    Both WP and FE can’t well explain the timeframe that Japan annexed Okinawa in 1872 and Diaoyu in 1895 seperately. Taiwan was also annexed in 1895 and Japan’s official postion is that Diaoyuis belongs to Okinawa and Okinawa belongs to Japan. How ridiculous!

    If you ask my opinion, I dont think fishing in Diaoyu is enough. Japanese seem to pose a friendly gesture but in reality its a robber mentality in disguise

    As for the Okinawans, no they are not proud of being Japanese. They are forced to and continue to sacrifice. Years after years Okinawans were, are and have been suffering unfair treatment and despite of their continuous pass to move the base by the “local” government. The Japanese government still choose to let them suffer. You claimed they are Proud Japanese which is an outrageous statment.

    • Far East

      A few comments here.
      First off, I think it is dishonest that instead of replying to Whirled Peas or me, which would send us a notification to reply you, instead you make a separate comment in an obvious attempt that we would not notice.
      Then, you are simply stating lies about state of mind of Okinawa people who you do not know, but I do.
      Third, you are trying to distort history like any good mainland Government Chinese agent would do, although you are just Taiwanese.
      At the contrary of you, I just don’t talk nonsense out of thin air, I back up my information by reputable source of information. Like here, check Senkaku islands on Wikipedia :
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senkaku_Islands
      Or here at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs here :
       http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/senkaku/fact_sheet.html
      If you want to be credible, you need to start by stopping this kind of dishonest attitude. 

      I wish you a good week-end nonetheless.

    • Whirled Peas

      @ Taiwanese.

      AGAIN, I see NO contradiction (though I’ve racked my brain to try to understand your argument) in the fact that Japan annexed Okinawa in 1872 and Senkaku islands at a later time (1895). Japan has never claimed that Senkaku was annexed along with the chain of other Okinawa /Ryukyu islands in 1872. In 1884 someone named Koga started petitioning (maybe pestering) the gov’t to incorporate Senkaku presumably because he and/or buddies fished in those rich waters and Koga saw potential for setting up a katsuobushi (dried bonito) factory and a feather business using albatross feathers. The government replied it first wanted to survey the islands to make sure they weren’t already claimed by the Qing Emperor. Over a period of ten years the govt did surveys off and on. WHY did it take 10 years? Who knows for sure, but if you have ever worked for a government (and I have) I’d speculate (1) it wasn’t a priority to move quickly on Koga’s desire to set up a business on a bunch of rocks, so they took their time; (2) they wanted to first survey the islands periodically to make sure it wasn’t under the control of the Qing emperor; (3) this is speculation, but maybe at the time, the govt was ambivalent about taking responsibility for the welfare of Koga and his enterprises on the islands. (Recall that even the Qing emperor at first was not that keen on declaring even nominal authority over the island of Taiwan in 1683 because he thought it beneath him to rule over “a remote ball of mud beyond the pale of civilization” (Teng, Emma Jinhua (2004), Taiwan’s Imagined Geography: Chinese Colonial Travel Writing and Pictures, 1683–1895). And it wasn’t till 200 years later (1887) that the Qing made Taiwan proper an actual province. Now THAT is slow.

      SO, it’s easy for me to imagine why it took 10 years from the time of Koga’s request for the Government of Japan to finally incorporate the Senkakus into Japan via a Cabinet Decision in January 1895 after doing its due diligence. These measures were carried out in accordance with the ways of duly-acquiring territorial sovereignty under international law.

      • shanghainoon

        Good work, please take your researches to ICR. However, either China or Taiwan must initiate file to ICR. Have China or Taiwan had ready to present their cases? By the way I see, they haven’t…