In what will surely not bring about a peaceful resolution to the white-hot tensions with China, the Japan Coast Guard has reported that two Japanese activists have to land at the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. Official Yuji Sakanaka says it’s not clear why the two made the visit, but they are currently being questioned. This will only serve as further provocation for violence from China as protests are carried out in over 80 Chinese cities on occasion of Tuesday being the 81st anniversary of Japan’s Manchurian invasion in 1931.
Also contributing to the erosion of Japan-China bilateral ties on the Japanese side was a man who threw smoke bombs as the Chinese Consulate General in Fukuoka. Police say that 21 year old Yuya Fujita drove to the diplomatic building around 6 PM on Monday, threw the smoke bombs, and then quickly ran away. Thankfully no one was injured, and there have been no reports of damage (unlike what’s going on in China at the moment). Police added that the man later turned himself in to the authorities.
The Japan Coast Guard has also been on heavy patrol after 1,000 Chinese fishing boats began heading for territorial waters sounding the Senkaku Islands on Monday. Coast guard officials say that around 7 AM on Tuesday morning, one Chinese patrol ship was near one of the main disputed islands. The ship was warned not to proceed any further, and has reportedly backed off.
[via Asian Correspondent]