China and Japan have so far been fiercely charging for the Senkaku (or Diaoyu) islands. Anti- Japan protests in China over the islands have soothed down, yet Taiwanese and Chinese ships are tending to look for more mischievous actions to arouse further provocation. It will not take much longer for another round of unpredictable dispute to flame up again.

 

 
   
▲ Senkaku islands that the Chinese call as Diaoyu islands. Provided by AP

 The rivalry between China and Japan dates back to 1895. It was when the Sino-Japanese war occurred and China was defeated by Japan, making the self-confidence its people were proud of shattered like dust. Then, China developed rapidly and visibly. Professor Lee Jong-Won (Asia Pacific Research, Waseda University) mentioned, “Chinese intellectuals gained national consciousness and self-confidence during the last two decades of China’s economic boom.” He further continued, “This mass existence of consciousness urged the Chinese to involve in global competition to achieve an international status.” However, the current dispute over the Senkaku, or Diaoyu, as the Chinese themselves refer to them, might be a sign of their monumental ruling over Japan or failing to defend Japan’s territory.
In fact, neither Chinese nor Japanese leaders are well positioned enough in order to manage a challenge when huge pressures are implied to pull up their economies. China plays a role as Japan’s biggest export market, and Japanese investment in China is now twice that of the U.S.
 
As the relationship between Japan and China melts down, the political dispute flares nonstop. The start of the dispute occurred when the Japanese government decided to have virtual control over five islands, what they call Senkakus and what China calls the Diaoyu. Then, Chinese who were against the Japanese decision went mad. Some extreme anti-Japanese protesters went on and on destroying and torching Japanese factories and car dealerships. Furthermore, Chinese protesters caused damages to other businesses and boycotted Japanese imports. For sure, the relationship between two East Asian powers has nearly sunk to their lowest mark. The pressing issue is that there are ongoing maritime disputes between Chinese fishing ships and Japanese ships. Nguyen Van Han (‘09, Physics) from Vietnam said, “It is really hard to predict the relationship between the two countries. They are nice accomplices in economy, but they are enemies regarding political aspects.” An estimated number of 1,000 Chinese fishing ships were  spotted marching towards the Senkakus and this suggests that soon there will be greater encounters in the future.
 
   
▲ Anti-Japan protesters erupting in China following island demonstration.Provided by Thr Telegraph
 
Kim Jee-Young (47, New York), a former Consulate General of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam described the situation, saying, “As Noda has been sitting in the seat of Prime Minister for many years, Japan suffered from several political instabilities, including the internal disputes. The Democratic Party of Japan seems not as aggressive towards China with Noda as its supreme figure, yet there is a slight possibility that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will govern the nation.” He went on, “If the LDP tips the political scene, a strong shift will occur in the relationship between Japan and China as the LDP is more aggressive towards China and friendly towards the U.S.” Noda is still emphasizing the necessity of the Senkakus region and is against giving them to China. What will happen remains a question on how the next prime minister will handle the situation.
 
Japan has a much more substantial economic ground stemming from the relationship with China. For example, lots of chain sushi restaurants are popular more than ever in China. Moreover, technological advances have enabled Japan to sell products from cars to small electronic devices in China. If further disputes evolve into virtual war between the two countries, Japanese markets will lose profits and become vulnerable to a trade breakdown or boycott.
 
As with military match ups, both Asian super powers are yet to be so powerful enough that they consider each other as a threat. Over the flaming debate towards the Senkaku islands, the emerging alarm of Chinese military forces is getting sharp. Irrevocably, Chinese attitudes toward Japan are strongly antagonistic. Since 2010, when Japan started to react to the vastly-growing Chinese forces by reorganizing their defense system, the relationship turned hostile. The current Senkaku debate is putting more dirt on the ugly ties between the two nations. China’s armed forces rank third worldwide while Japan ranks ninth. 
 
   
▲ Provided by Globaltimes.com (June 12, 2012)
Now, as these two East Asian powers strive to possess the Senkaku islands, the stance of Korea has become a pressing issue for Koreans. Kim said, “The China-Japan dispute over the islands leaves Korea an option. Korea can choose to remain as an onlooker, and organize defense systems.” He also mentioned, “Most of the possibility suggests that Korea, in one way or another, will be influenced by the current dispute. This is why it is necessary for the government to be cautious in terms of diplomatic negotiations with the two countries.” For decades, the U.S overruled the seas, including the East Sea. Now, the growing power of China is going to challenge the feat of the U.S. Kim Young-Ho (Political Diplomacy, Sungshin Women’s University) mentioned, “As China grows rapidly in respect of military and economic aspects, Korea should not be stuck in the middle between China and Japan. As the two countries roar at each other, Korea should not forget that in one way or another, it will be in the target sight.”
 
The fight over the islands between China and Japan is a social issue which even puts influence on Korea and other countries. For sure, the world is gazing at them, becoming interested and alarmed as they continue to growl at each other. Standing right between China and Japan, the duty of Korea, for now, is to act with precaution. 
 
   
 
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