Nationalist governor from Tokyo stirs up fresh tensions with China over disputed islands

A controversial nationalist, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, says he will press ahead with plans to build on the disputed islands that ignited a crisis with China, potentially sparking fresh tensions. Ishihara’s bid to buy the islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China failed when the national government of Japan bought them instead. The Japanese government said the nationalization of the islands was intended to keep them from Ishihara and to head off a more damaging confrontation with China. Ishihara says he will build structures there to solidify Japan’s claim.