The Senkaku Islands are a deserted chain of islets located in the East China Sea, roughly 90 nautical miles north of Japan's Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and 120 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan. These small rocky islands have no people living on them. Yet they hold great value. The sea around them has oil and gas deposits. The islands also let countries control essential shipping routes in the area.

The Senkaku Islands UPSC subject is a crucial topic for Civil Services Exam preparation. This topic repeatedly appears in the International Relations part of the UPSC Syllabus. The Senkaku Islands UPSC controversy centres on an influential territorial dispute between two Asian forces—Japan and China. These islands stay unpopulated, yet their possession holds enormous strategic and financial effectiveness. Going through the Senkaku Islands UPSC Notes is crucial for all aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam. It gives the key details about its present situation, geographical position, and strategic relevance with the Senkaku Islands upscatter. It appears in General Studies Paper I's salient features of the world's physical geography.

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History of Senkaku Islands

The Senkaku Islands are between China, Japan and Taiwan in the East China Sea. The Senkaku chain includes five islets – Kuba Island, Uotsuri Island, Taisho Island, Minamikojima Island and Kitakojima Island – and three rocks – Tobise Island, Okinominamiiwa Island, and Okinokitaiwa Island. The islands are near strategically vital shipping routes, offer rich fishing environments, and are considered to contain oil deposits. The official part of the PRC is that ‘'iaoyu Dao is China's inherent territory in all historical, geographical and lawful terms,' according to historical proof of the islands being administered as territory of Taiwan since the Ming and Qing dynasties.

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The island dispute between China and Japan got worse because of regional conflict. The key reason behind this worst relationship is that they found gas and oil deposits nearby. Now, both nations claim that they have superiority over the regions. Some of the key reasons are mentioned below:

• Senkaku Islands were seized by Japan in 1895.
• Japan regained control from the U.S. in 1972.
• China says the islands have belonged to them for centuries.
• The United States took charge of the islands after World War II.
• China started asserting control once more and objected to this.

Senkaku Islands Location & Why They Matter?

The Senkaku Islands remain a tough challenge. It continues to affect relationships between major powers in East Asia. The Senkaku Islands location has strategic value. These islands sit in the East China Sea, close to Taiwan and Japan.

Strategic Significance of Senkaku Islands Location

The reason why China and Japan do not want to lose their claim over the Senkaku Islands location is shown below –

• The islands sit 170 km northeast of Taiwan.
• These islands are located to the west of Okinawa, Japan.
• These locations are close to key ocean paths used for commerce.
• There might be oil and natural gas in the area.
• The abundance of fish also makes these areas valuable.

Present Status of Senkaku Islands

Since China and Japan still have not backed down, this creates a conflict in the East-Asia region.

Control and Dispute

• At present, Japan controls the islands.
• Conflict arises when any of the nations increase their presence in the army.
• China regularly sent patrol boats and planes.
• Less actively, Taiwan also claims the superiority of the Island.

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China’s Stand on Senkaku Islands

China often argues that it has ancient rights in Senkaku territory. China has taken a challenging position on the Senkaku Islands between China and Japan.

China's Legal and Historical Viewpoint

• China claimed that an ancient Chinese map shows the Island's direction as a legal part of China.
• China often says that Japan took the Island during the war.
• China and Japan believe international law should hand over the islands to them.
• Even though Japan is correct, China firmly opposes Japan on any international matter.

Japan's Stand on Senkaku Island

Japan claims that international law only displays the Senkaku Islands as belonging to them. This statement creates tension on the Senkaku islands dispute in East Asia.

Japan's Claims and Actions on Senkaku Islands

• Japan discloses that they legally acquired the Island in 1895.
• They complained that China started objecting after oil was found close to the region.
• Japan has built basic infrastructure and controls the territory.
• Japan also says that an undisputed area is part of Japanese territory.

India's View On Senkaku Islands Dispute

India never supported the Senkaku Islands dispute issue. However, the region's stability always affects India's foreign policy. India was not interested and mostly avoided the conflict.

India's view on Senkaku Islands 

• India takes sides in peace in East Asia.
• India continues strong relations with Japan and China.
• India avoids the dispute between Japan and China in the Senkaku Islands.
• India always desires free navigation in the territory's waters.

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Global Impression of Senkaky Islands Dispute

The dispute over the Senkaku Islands has become a global issue. Some facts behind this global issue are mentioned below:

• Disbalanced issues like territorial or geopolitical issues were also found.
• The Senkaku Islands dispute indicates the most prominent military conflict in the future.
• The United States constantly takes sides with Japan through security pacts.
• Members of ASEAN closely see the conflict.
• China observes the United States as a trespasser and their unwanted interference in the dispute.

Download Key Takeaways PDF for Senkaku Islands

The Senkaku Islands topic for UPSC is a global issue related to international geopolitics and regional disputes. UPSC aspirants must pay attention to understand this topic from the root.

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