Senkaku Islands Development Day

The Senkaku Islands are a small, uninhabited island group in the East China Sea. They are dministered by Japan as part of Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture. However, both China and Taiwan also lay claim to them. In China they are called Daioyu Dao and in Taiwan, Daioyutai. 

All three countries can produce evidence of historical usage and maps. All three countries dispute each other's claims! 

The group consists of five main islands and three rocks, including Uotsuri, Kuba, Taishō, Minami‑Kojima, and Kita‑Kojima. The islands are strategically important because of shipping routes, fishing grounds and possible under water natural resources. 

In Japan, January 14th is Senkaku Islands Development Day 尖閣諸島開拓の日.  Senkaku Islands Development Day marks the Japanese government’s 1895 decision to incorporate the Senkaku Islands into national territory. Established by the city of Ishigaki, the day encourages reflection on the historical background of the islands. It also aims to deepen public understanding of their significance. 

The featured image is just a visual of an island, it is not of Senkaku Islands.