Japan not to back down over Senkaku: Japan PM Noda

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York yesterday, Japanese prime minister  Yoshihiko Noda stated in an address that his country would not compromise or back down from China on its ownership of the disputed Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands.

He added that Japan would continue to act in a calm manner, in face of the anti-Japanese protests in China, but would prefer to engage in peaceful discussions on the matter.

Noda's statements come just following foreign ministers from both countries holding a sidelines meeting the day before, and even as they agreed to continue communications. No form of resolution was however reached.

Despite repeated threats from China hinting at military action, Japan was not interested in going down that road and while China said Japan's purchase of the uninhabited islands earlier this month was an attack on its sovereignty, Noda made similar claims for Japan, saying that the territory was an inherent part of Japan, as seen by both history and international law.

According to the prime minister, the protester's violence in China, directed at stores, factories, and at times Japanese people could in no way be condoned and Japan demanded that China protect its citizens.

At the UN sidelines meeting the day before, the foreign minister of Japan, Koichiro Genba met with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, where Genba described the atmosphere as ''severe.''