It is respectable that The Japan Times' editorials continue to urge the government to show restraint over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, despite Taiwan's and China's respective claims.
The islands' purchase, either by Tokyo's central or metropolitan government, will fundamentally change the status quo and eventually consolidate the sovereignty dispute in this area. Unfortunately, this plan is apparently not driven by a well-thought out foreign policy, but very likely by a cheap tactic to shift to external relations because of domestic pressures.
Now is the time for all countries with a stake to admit that maintaining the status quo around the islands is the only feasible way — next to no alternatives — for realizing the spirit of making the East China Sea a sea of cooperation and friendship.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.