[Tintin Storm]

This is not a secret to anyone that the ownership over the Senkaku archipelago (Diaoyudao), consisting of eight islands, is one of the sharpest issues in Japanese-Chinese relations. These territories, that located in the East China Sea, about 250 km from Okinawa, are under control of Japan. So China cannot live peacefully because it considers the archipelago as its own. This territorial issue over the Senkaku archipelago has been going on for almost a century and a half. But despite the fact that these islands are uninhabited, according to Japanese estimates, there are about 700 million tons of oil and 200 billion cubic meters of gas there. Also, the possession of that archipelago expands the possibility of both civil and military navigation, and in addition, it is possible to carry out fishing.
Relations between the two countries gradually become tense over time. Since the end of October 2012, Chinese ships began to regularly patrol the waters, despite the protests of Tokyo. Some analysts believe that both Japan and China have exhausted the means of diplomacy: Beijing unequivocally hints at the possibility of the use of force. Tokyo perceives China as a geopolitical adversary, and fears associated with the «Chinese threat» are widespread in the country. According to experts, the territorial dispute with China for Japan is as fundamental as the dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands, which the Japanese themselves call «their northern territories». And the current government of the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, on the issue of a territorial dispute, hopes for US armed assistance. However, we should not forget that the United States depends on China in some issues, and according to analysts, the US remain indifferent despite the Security Treaty with Japan.
As is known, in every type of modern US weapons, rare earth metals are used. And China is a monopolist in its exporting. The US defense department relies on 80% of the supply of these metals. For example, the «Virginia» class submarines need more than 4 tons, and an F-35 aircraft need about 417 kg. Earlier in the United States they produced neodymium magnets, which are used for the manufacture of homing missiles, and today almost all of them are purchased in China, and in the United States their production has ceased. Thus, in the light of recent events related to the American attack against the technology giant Huawei, analysts fear that the termination of such supplies to the United States will indeed be a significant blow to the government of President D. Trump, who started these trade wars.
Moreover, in mid-June 2019, Tokyo announced that it plans to strengthen its security in the East China Sea around the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese publisher of «Sankei» reported that by the end of March 2021, three new patrol ships with a displacement of 6,500 tons and a length of 150 meters, which will be able to carry two helicopters, will be put into operation.
Thus, the issue over the ownership of the archipelago through diplomatic channels remains unresolved and, according to analysts, there is a high probability of armed conflict, which, of course, is an undesirable measure for all.

[ThirdTerm]

According to experts, the territorial dispute with China for Japan is as fundamental as the dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands, which the Japanese themselves call «their northern territories». And the current government of the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, on the issue of a territorial dispute, hopes for US armed assistance. However, we should not forget that the United States depends on China in some issues, and according to analysts, the US remain indifferent despite the Security Treaty with Japan.

Russia effectively controls the Kuril Islands, while Japan administers the Senkaku Islands. The Chinese threat is covered by Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which was clarified by the previous administration and reaffirmed by James Mattis, Donald Trump’s former defense secretary. I think Russia has every right to attack Japanese patrol ships when they are frequently spotted around the Kuril Islands.

As is known, in every type of modern US weapons, rare earth metals are used. And China is a monopolist in its exporting. The US defense department relies on 80% of the supply of these metals.

The U.S. relies on China for 80% of its rare earth supplies. But when China restricted its exporting of rare earth materials in 2010, foreign capital invested in mines in other parts of the world. As a result, China's share of global production dropped from nearly 100% to 70% today. We need to remember that rare earth supplies are available elsewhere.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s defense secretary, James Mattis, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defend Japanese territory from attack.

Mattis specifically mentioned that Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security would cover the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, which Japan administers, but China claims.

In a press conference following consultation between Mattis and his Japanese counterpart Tomomi Inada, Mattis offered the affirmation: “I made clear that our long-standing policy on the Senkaku Islands stands — the U.S. will continue to recognize Japanese administration of the islands and as such Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty applies.”

https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/mattis- ... ty-treaty/