The U.S. Imperative on the Senkaku/Diaoyu Territorial Dispute
Abstract
This study contends that the United States must take a stand to support Japan's sovereignty claim on the Senkaku Islands. The U.S. Government has held a neutral stance on the Chinese-Japanese territorial dispute since 1971, when it ratified the Okinawa Reversion Treaty. This neutral stance was appropriate at the time because the Chinese and Japanese governments agreed to shelve the dispute to pursue the benefits of a peaceful bilateral relationship. From the 1970s through the first decade of the 21st century, China and Japan successfully calmed their occasional territorial dispute flare-ups to ensure that both countries prospered from their peaceful relationship. However, with the rise of China, Beijing is less inclined to keep its territorial dispute shelved. China is increasing intrusive surveys in the Senkaku/Diaoyu territorial waters to demonstrate its control over the islands. Japan is responding with increasing aggression. The dispute threatens to escalate into a military crisis. Therefore, the United States must change its neutral position, support Japan's legal sovereignty claim, and dissuade China from forcefully demonstrating its control over the islands. Washington must convince Beijing to, instead, settle its dispute in accordance with the rule of law.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589524
Entities
People
- Lynn J. Ishii
Organizations
- United States Army War College