Clear signal needed on disputed isles

In March 2004, the last time controversy over the Senkaku (Diaoyutai) islands surfaced, the US State Department affirmed that the United States Mutual Security Treaty with Japan covered the islands. "The Senkaku Islands have been under the administrative control of the government of Japan since having been returned as part of the reversion of Okinawa in 1972," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said. "Article 5 of the 1960 US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security," he said, "states that the treaty applies to the territories under the administration of Japan; thus, Article 5 of the Mutual Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku islands." So while the US may not take a position on "the ultimate sovereignty" of the islands, certainly their inclusion in the US security commitment to Japan makes apparent where its... [read full story]