Japan claims disputed lighthouse

[Minstrel Boy]

Japan claims disputed lighthouse

From correspondents in Tokyo
10feb05

JAPAN said it had placed under state control a lighthouse built by nationalists on a disputed island in the East China Sea despite rival claims by China and Taiwan.

The 5.6m lighthouse was erected in 1988 by Japanese right-wing activists to mark a claim on Uotsuri-jima, the largest of the Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China, which lie between Taiwan and Japan.

...

"Japan has been saying they (the islands) are traditional Japanese territory," he said. "Even if we have some trouble, we are going to protect what we have to protect."

The move comes amid rising tensions between Japan and China, including a dispute over a major gasfield near the islands where a Chinese nuclear submarine intruded in November setting off a two-day chase.

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12205196%255E1702,00.html