Brother of owner on Tokyo's plan to buy disputed islands | Tokyo
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STORYLINE Japanese businessman Hiroyuki Kurihara, part of the family that owns the disputed Senkaku Islands in southern Japan said negotiations are underway for the sale of the islands to Tokyo city. Kurihara's brother and sister owns four of the five islands of Senkaku, also claimed by China and Taiwan. In April, Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara revealed that he was in talks with the Kurihara family to purchase three of the islands, saying his move was largely intended to put pressure on the government to play a bigger role in the islands' administration. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said the government is negotiating to buy the islands to strengthen Japan's control over them amid China's increasing territorial claims in the region. But Kurihara told reporters on Friday that Tokyo city would be his family's first option in selling the islands. "There are talks related to the government, but on our part, we are not thinking of proceeding discussions with government or the nation before finishing the ongoing talks (with Tokyo City)," Kurihara said. Surrounded by rich fishing grounds, the uninhabited islands are a frequent flash point in diplomatic relations with Chinese and Taiwanese fishing boats having been spotted within neighbouring waters in recent months. While acknowledging that the rich fishing grounds has attracted much attention and heated comments, Kurihara said he believes that clarifying the issue of ownership could be the first step towards handling the resources for mutual benefit. "Naturally, Taiwan's fishing boats have been coming. So in order to make conditions better for both parties, I think we need to settle this issue." Japan says it leased out the five main islands for free over 100 years ago, and that four of them have since been sold to private owners, with the fifth remaining state property. The government pays rent on the four privately-owned islands to keep them from being sold to a buyer, who might not act in Japan's interests. As for the timing of the sale, Kurihara noted that it would need to take place after the current lease of the islands to the government which concludes at the end of March next year. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/37cfd7fd365e99376ec37465423c4999 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork