Japan reportedly agrees to by disputed islands September 5, 2012 - 13:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Japanese government has agreed to buy several privately owned islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, media reports said Wednesday, Sept 5, according to The Associated Press. The government has agreed to buy three of the five main islands, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese, from the Kurihara family for 2.05 billion yen ($26 million), Kyodo News agency and the Yomiuri and Asahi newspapers reported, citing anonymous sources. A Japanese government official declined to confirm the deal and said negotiations were continuing. Tensions over the islands have flared since April, when Tokyo's nationalist governor, Shintaro Ishihara, announced a plan for the city government to raise money to buy the islands so that they would not be vulnerable to purchase by a third party such as China. Last weekend, Tokyo sent a team of experts to waters around the islands to survey fishing grounds and possible sites for development - although the central government forbade the expedition from setting foot on the islands. China responded by calling the reported purchase "illegal and invalid." Partner news  Top stories Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament. Bağış said Istanbul’s unique status as a “peaceful coexistence of all cultures and religions” makes it a vital player in the EU. The agent shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred at Todashev's house, the law enforcement source said.   Partner news |  Latest news U.S. envoy to open photo exhibition at National Gallery  The exhibition is a joint project of the Naregatsi Art Institute (NAI), the Near East Foundation (NEF), and the U.S. Embassy.Platini stresses need to protect football, its values "The quality of the football is exceptional – better than ever – and the results are following close behind," UEFA President said.ANC of New York screens “Orphans of the Genocide” “The ANC of New York is pleased to work with Mr. Maronian to spread awareness of this significant film,” Markarian said.Obama defends drone strikes as counterterrorism measure The U.S. president's remarks came as he sought to move America beyond the war effort of the past dozen years. |
