"Senkaku" from the name Senkaku Islands is added to Okinawa Ishigaki - Will tension increase?

 Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

尖閣諸島 字名に「尖閣」加わる 沖縄 石垣 緊張が高まるか

2020年10月1日 0時58分

尖閣諸島の周辺海域で中国当局の船による活動が活発化するなか、沖縄県石垣市では1日から尖閣諸島の字名に「尖閣」が加わります。これについて尖閣諸島の領有権を主張する中国と台湾では反発の声が上がっていて、今後、緊張が高まることも懸念されます。

尖閣諸島を行政区域に持つ石垣市は、これまで尖閣諸島の字名を「石垣市登野城」としていました。

この字名について石垣市はことし6月「市内に同じ字名の地域があり事務的なミスを防ぐため」などとして「石垣市登野城尖閣」に変更する議案を市議会に提出し、賛成多数で可決されました。これを受けて1日から尖閣諸島の字名に「尖閣」が加わります。

尖閣諸島をめぐっては中国当局の船が周辺海域への領海侵入を繰り返しているほか、日本の漁船を追尾するなど活動を活発化させています。

今回の字名に「尖閣」が加わることについては、領有権を主張する中国と台湾で反発の声が上がっていて、今後、緊張が高まることも懸念されます。

Translation

While the activities of ships of the Chinese authorities become more active in the waters around the Senkaku Islands, "Senkaku" as a name from the Senkaku Islands would be added to the name of the Ishigaki City of Okinawa Prefecture on the first. China and Taiwan, which had claimed sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, voiced opposition to this, and there was concern that tensions could increase in the future.

Ishigaki City had the Senkaku Islands within its administrative area, and until now the name of the Senkaku Islands was "Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City."

Regarding this name, Ishigaki City submitted a bill to the city council in June to change it to "Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City Senkaku" so as " to prevent clerical mistakes as there is an area with the same name in the city ", and as it was approved in a majority, the bill was passed. In response to this, "Senkaku" from the name Senkaku Islands would be added starting from the 1st.

Regarding the Senkaku Islands, ships of Chinese authorities had repeatedly intruded into the surrounding waters, and activities such as tracking Japanese fishing boats had become active.

There were voices of opposition in China and Taiwan which had been claiming the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands. Regarding the adding of "Senkaku" to the name, and there was s concern that tensions could increase in the future.

              It is interesting to note that Japan is taking up the Senkaku Islands matter at this time. Probably Japan is thinking this is a good moment as China is busy in dealing with diplomatic pressures globally.