Diaoyu/Senkaku Dispute Beyond Abe’s Control

Robert Dujarric argues that the ongoing dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands has escalated beyond Prime Minister Abe’s bilateral influence, driven instead by domestic political pressures in China and the nationalist sentiment in Japan. He contends that neither side’s leadership can unilaterally resolve the standoff without risking domestic backlash.

Dujarric suggests that multilateral frameworks—such as ASEAN-led maritime dialogues—and confidence-building measures (like joint resource surveys) offer the only viable path forward. By engaging third-party mediators and focusing on practical cooperation, both Tokyo and Beijing can de-escalate tensions without conceding sovereignty claims.