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Japan ambassador returning to Tokyo Japan's ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa will return to Tokyo on July 15 to discuss how Japan should respond to recent developments concerning the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said on July 14, China Central Television reported, quoting Kyodo news agency.

Official reaction of Japan:

Koichiro Gemba denied the recall has any overtones of protest at China in connection with the issue. He said "We'll send Niwa back to Beijing soon after he finishes his job."

View  Points

●Japan summons ambbassador just for more information

Zhou Yongsheng, professor of China Foreign Affairs University, said that in his opinion, Japan's temporary recall  just aims to get more fresh information about China's attitude under the current situation. Zhou said the recall also shows that Japanese government has to pay more attentions to China’s reactions now.

●Former top Japanese official: Diaoyu Islands not Japan's

Former director of the International Intelligence Office of Japan’s Foreign Ministry says Japan’s claim to their sovereignty dates back to an 1895 decision by the Okinawa cabinet that the islands came under its jurisdiction. But according to Chinese history dating back to the 14th century, its military influence had already reached the territory.

●China won't yield to Japan's radical moves over disputes

China is not the radical party in these territorial disputes. The other parties also know this. It's time to demonstrate that China will firmly react to radical moves. Only when they clearly realize this can calm return to the west Pacific.

●Naval exercises routine, not warning to Japan

The military exercises are routine ones and they are not aimed at any country. Defense modernization is one of China's fixed policies. One aspect of this is conducting various military exercises. China's foreign policy sets peace and cooperation as its core, and any peace-supporting countries shouldn't be worried about or afraid of China's military exercises.

Background

●In an interview with the Financial Times on June 7, Japan's ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa warned that the Tokyo metropolitan government's plan to make an offer to buy the Diaoyu Islands would cause an extremely grave crisis in the China-Japan relationship. ●Niwa's comments have been shouted down in Japan. His government bosses disavowed his remarks and censured him. Opposition members clamored for his dismissal. ●Niwa was asked by Japan's Foreign Ministry to apologize for his words later.

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