Radars And More Tension, Local & International

On 30 January, a Chinese ship is said to have locked its missile-targeting radar onto a Japanese frigate in the Senkaku Island area, to which both nations claim ownership. China denies these allegations, but Japanese officials are considering disclosing radar data which may provide evidence to the contrary. This 30 January incident is the closest the two nations have come to actually exchanging fire, and both BBC and NYT have covered it extensively (7 of the 11 articles below cover the story).

A Russian plane entered Japanese airspace, in response to which Japanese air forces scrambled fighter jets. This incident caused Russian-Japanese territorial tensions to flare up once again, which have been quiet lately —perhaps due to the disputes between China and Japan. Of course, Russia denies these allegations. In response to this, Japanese officials have demanded Moscow investigate, after submitting a "severe protest" to the Russian Embassy in Tokyo.

It is worth noting that this incident happened to take place on the same day that Japanese citizens rally to claim ownership of the island chain (North of Hokkaido), which Russia has officially controlled for about thirty years.

The Governor of the Bank Of Japan (BOJ) has offered to step down before his term ends, in response to harsh pressure from the government. Prime Minister Abe is expected to replace him. This is, again, part of an effort of the Japanese government to revive the nation's suffocating economy.

Prime Minister Abe plans to meet President Obama later this month. At the same time, Abe has stalled a bill to relocate an American air base to Okinawa. This bill is already seventeen years old—passing the bill would be a good gesture to the US, but would sharpen Okinawan resistance and appear 'unprogressive' to Japanese citizens.

Sources:

• Senkaku/Diaoyu islands: Japan may release China radar data (9 Feb)
• China rejects Japan radar-lock allegations (8 Feb)
• Viewpoints: How serious are China-Japan tensions? (7 Feb)
• Japan-China islands dispute: Abe condemns radar lock (6 Feb)
• Japan protest over China ship's radar action (5 Feb)
• Japanese Premier Won’t Take Step in Relocating U.S. Base Before Meeting Obama (2 Feb)
• At Odds With the Government, Japan’s Central Bank Chief Offers an Early Exit (5 Feb)
• Japan Says China Aimed Military Radar at Ship (5 Feb)
• Japan Subsidy for Whaling Is Challenged (6 Feb)
• Tensions Flare as Japan Says Russian Planes Entered Airspace (7 Feb)
• China Denies Directing Radar at Japanese Naval Vessel and Copter (8 Feb)