Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced on July 7 a government plan to buy three of the Senkaku Islands' five main islands in the East China Sea. The possibility cannot be ruled out that Mr. Noda is using the islands' purchase plan to help buoy his approval rating, since he is suffering from a split within the Democratic Party of Japan over his plan to raise the consumption tax.
Historically and legally, it is clear that the islands are an integral part of Japanese territories. Japan has effective rule over them. Still, Mr. Noda's plan is likely to cause friction with China and Taiwan, both of which claim the islands. One wonders whether Mr. Noda has a clear idea of how to contain such friction. He must handle the Senkaku issue carefully.
Currently, the central government owns Taisho Island, one of the five main islands of the Senkaku Islands. The four other islands are owned privately and the central government is leasing them from the owners.