(September 24-30, 2012)

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has rejected any possibility of compromise on the Senkaku territorial dispute with China, even retraction of Japan’s recent nationalization of the three of the islets. While reiterating Japan’s stance that Senkakus were Japanese territory and owned by a Japanese national earlier, Noda insisted that the ‘nationalization was just a [domestic] transfer of ownership’. He however urged China to engage in discussion with Japan on that issue. 1

During Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith’s recent visit to Japan, both Smith and his Japanese counterpart Satoshi Morimoto insisted on strengthening the two countries’ defense cooperation, especially on equipment and technologies. 2

• 1. “Noda vows no compromise/Calls for dialogue with China over Senkaku Islands issue”, September 28, 2012, at http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120927004054.htm
• 2. “Japan to boost defense ties with Australia”, Yomiuri Daily, September 26, 2012, at http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120925003586.htm