Diaoyu-Senkaku: Tokyo doubles ships around disputed islands
Six new Japanese coast guard vessels have reached the islands. Last week, two ships of the Chinese coast guards arrived in the area claiming it as "inherent territory of China." Economic relations and nationalism of both countries.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Japan has decided to double the number of vessels in the waters of islands disputed with China in the East China Sea. The islands, called Diaoyu by China and Senkaku by the Japanese, have for years been at the center of a tug of war for the territorial sovereignty of the area, rich in fish and gas fields.

Last week, two ships of the Chinese Coast Guard - the Haijing 2307 and 2337 - entered the waters of Diaoyu-Senkaku. When Japan coast guards ordered them to leave the area, the Chinese crews said that the area "is inherent territory of China" as well as the waters surrounding it. Because of this, Tokyo has decided to send six more Coast Guard vessels to the area, fearing an escalation in the Chinese presence.

The dispute over the islands has moments of high and low voltage, and threatens the economic relations between the two great countries. At the same time, this argument is used by Tokyo and Beijing to inflame the minds of their people, creating consensus and support of their respective governments through the nationalist patriotism.