Dispute.

How many of you knew that Japan have territorial issues?
Yes, we have.
Not only one, but four. (so far, I know)

1. Takeshima (or Dokdo), dispute with Korea

Perhaps this is the most complicated one of the four.
And also, perhaps the dispute which most arouses public opinions is this one.
Right now, this small island on Sea of Japan is under the control of Korean arm force.
Japan is protesting it as an unlawful occupation.

This is both a historical problem and political problem at the same time.
But Japan tries to solve this problem only on the side of possession.
As well as, Korea has a tendency to take this issue as mere a historical problem.

Why can't we refer it to International Court of Justice, on the Hague, Netherlands?

Well, Japan is trying to suit.
There are Koreans who also say that "If Japan insists that it is a territory of Japan, we should fight on the court. And when Japan wins, it is yours."
But Korean Government doesn't respond to it.

I believe Korea must respond to it, and fight on the court, fair and square.
For Korea too, for declaring itself as an advanced nation.
And we should solve this problem quickly as possible.

I don't hate Koreans, and I don't want other Japanese to hate Koreans.
National sentiment of hatred is useless at all.
This is for national interests of both nations and for stabilization of Far East.

2. Senkaku Shoto (or Diaoyutai Islands), dispute with China and Taiwan

Another difficult issue, but much simpler than the first one.
This is originally a territory of Japan ever since, but both People's Republic of China and Republic of China insisted that it's their territory on 1971, when the potential of lucrative gas fields was confirmed.
Thus, Japanese Government doesn't admit the existence of territorial issue for this.

By the way, it was under control of United States until 1972, on the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese control.

China also insists that most part of East China Sea is under their Exclusive Economic Zone.

It is stated that when the EEZ of 200 nautical miles of two or more countries overlap, it will be depended on continantal shelf.
When those countries lie on different continental shelves, the boundary is the limit of continental shelves.
When those countries lie on the same continental shelf, the boundary is the median line of the coast of those countries.

Japan insist that Okinawa is on the same continental shelf, and Japan-China median line must be the boundary.
China insist that Okinawa is on another continental shelf, and Okinawa Trough must be the boundary.

Who is right?
Well, the answer is already here.
Prof. Kimura of Ryukyu University on Okinawa made studies about Okinawa Trough, and reached to the conclusion that It has no oceanic crust.
It means that Okinawa is on the same continental shelf.

But China ignores this study, and continuing on developing for gas fields, just 5km away from the boundary.
Yes, we can't deny the possibility that the gas fields are lying across the boundary.
China is trying to steal natural resources of Japan.

I don't want to hate Chinese, so I tell to Chinese government to STOP IT!

3. Hoppo ryodo (or Kuril Islands), with Russia

This was originally a territory of Japan, but occupied by USSR on the end of World War II.
On Sanfrancisco Treaty, Japan agreed to renounce Chishima Islands (Kuril Islands) except Etorofu and Kunashiri Islands.
But USSR Continued on occupying, together with Shikotan and Habomai Islands, until now as Russia.

4. Okinotorishima

Actually, this is not a territorial dispute with any other countries.
This coral in the middle of Philippine Sea has two islands, Kita-kojima and Higashi-kojima, with the area together of 8.0 sq.m. only.
But it provides EEZ of about 400,000 sq.km.

The problem is that China insists on 2004 that These two islands are merely "rocks", which can't have EEZ.
China wants to make a oceanic research near this area, probably for military purpose.
Moreover, these islands are under crisis of being sinked, caused by Global Warming.

Thus, Japanese government protects it's shore with concrete blocks and tetrapods, and planning to build a lighthouse, in order to turn down the insistence of China.

I just wish that these disputes will be solved peacefully.