Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (C), a member of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, returns to Ishigaki Island on the evening of Jan. 3, 2012, after landing on one of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of islets controlled by Japan and claimed also by China and Taiwan. Two assembly members including Nakama landed on Uotsuri Island that day.

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (R), a member of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, answers reporters' questions upon returning to Ishigaki Island on the evening of Jan. 3, 2012, after landing on one of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of islets controlled by Japan and claimed also by China and Taiwan. Another assembly member, Tadashi Nakamine (L), also landed on Uotsuri Island the same day.

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (C) and Yoichi Minosoko (L), two members of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, speak to reporters at Ishigaki Island on Dec. 10, 2010, after landing on Minami Kojima, one of the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. The trip prompted an investigation by police authorities as both men might have violated a law by entering an off-limits area.

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (R) and Yoichi Minosoko, two members of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, return to Ishigaki Island port on Dec. 10, 2010, after landing on Minami Kojima, one of the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. The trip prompted an investigation by police authorities as both men might have violated a law by entering an off-limits area.

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (R), a member of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, answers reporters' questions upon returning to Ishigaki Island on the evening of Jan. 3, 2012, after landing on one of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of islets controlled by Japan and claimed also by China and Taiwan. Another assembly member, Tadashi Nakamine (L), also landed on Uotsuri Island the same day. (Kyodo)

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

Local assembly members land on Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (C), a member of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, returns to Ishigaki Island on the evening of Jan. 3, 2012, after landing on one of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of islets controlled by Japan and claimed also by China and Taiwan. Two assembly members including Nakama landed on Uotsuri Island that day. (Kyodo)

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (C) and Yoichi Minosoko (L), two members of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, speak to reporters at Ishigaki Island on Dec. 10, 2010, after landing on Minami Kojima, one of the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. The trip prompted an investigation by police authorities as both men might have violated a law by entering an off-limits area. (Kyodo)

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

2 Japanese local assembly members visit 1 of Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Hitoshi Nakama (R) and Yoichi Minosoko, two members of the municipal assembly of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, return to Ishigaki Island port on Dec. 10, 2010, after landing on Minami Kojima, one of the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. The trip prompted an investigation by police authorities as both men might have violated a law by entering an off-limits area. (Kyodo)