Regarding the Sept. 18 front-page article "China warns anti-Japanese demonstrators against further violence": We have the arrogant Japanese government to thank for the current situation between Japan and China. You can't tell me that Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda didn't know that demonstrations would result after he decided to have the national government buy three of the Senkaku Islands. It's sheer stupidity on his part.

Then again, Japan and China are just like a couple of petulant primary school kids fighting over a ball, except that most primary school kids have more sense.

We do not have world leaders anymore, no statesman — only their self-interests at stake. Asia will never become a regional powerhouse as long as we have leaders who cannot sit down over a beer and discuss things rationally as they are elected to do.

As an afterthought, it was reported in the media that Japan only has enough money to run the country for the next 30 days or so. Believe that if you want; still, why throw away ¥2 billion or so to purchase the islands just to prove a point and cause more anxiety for the already long-suffering population of this fine country.

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.

duncan mitchell