Governor Visits Islet to Assert National Claim
From Times Wire Reports
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara visited a remote Japanese islet, aiming to firm up Japan’s claim to surrounding waters.
The visit to Okinotorishima came ahead of a meeting in Tokyo next week between Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to improve relations.
China does not challenge Japan’s sovereignty over Okinotorishima but says it is a rock, not an island, and refuses to recognize Japan’s claims to an exclusive fishing zone around it.
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