Behind the purchase of the Senkaku Islands by the Japanese government

Just over 10 years ago, on September 11, 2012, the administration of then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda officially nationalized three of the Senkakus’ four private islands (Minami Kojima, Kita Kojima and Uotsuri Jima).

He did this simply by changing their title (back to national ownership) following a Cabinet decision to authorize their purchase for 2.05 billion yen the previous day.