Japan insists owns disputed islands
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
TOKYO, Sept 28 (AP): Japan reiterated its stance Tuesday that it owns a disputed island chain at the centre of a bitter row with China, insisting "no territorial issue exists".
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, speaking in parliament, also said that the arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain that sparked the dispute was appropriate, Kyodo News and other media reported.
The skipper, who was released last week, was arrested on September 8 after colliding with two Japanese coastguard boats in the East China Sea near the island chain known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, speaking in parliament, also said that the arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain that sparked the dispute was appropriate, Kyodo News and other media reported.
The skipper, who was released last week, was arrested on September 8 after colliding with two Japanese coastguard boats in the East China Sea near the island chain known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.