Tokyo metro government's inspection team sets sail for Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI — An inspection team from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government departed Saturday night aboard a chartered vessel for the disputed Senkaku islets, three of which it plans to purchase from a private owner.

The 25 members, including metropolitan goverment officials, a real estate appraiser and marine policy researchers, aren't permitted to land on the islets of Uotsuri, Kitakojima and Minamikojima, but will examine possible uses for them and locations to construct marine facilities from surrounding waters. The team will return to the port of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday evening.

The metro government said the team plans to conduct basic research Sunday and will return to the East China Sea isles, which are controlled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan, for further inspections as early as October. Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara has shown willingness to accompany the team on their next trip.

The central government earlier rejected the metro government's request that its team be allowed to set foot on the islands.

The Senkaku chain, known as Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan, is at the center of a bitter territorial dispute that has escalated since a group of Chinese activists landed on Uotsuri in August.