Japan's newest national political party has adopted a logo showing disputed islands as integral parts of Japan, but its leader called for moderation in handling international standoffs.
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto unveiled the logo Sept. 12 at an event at which he declared the launch of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which he will head.
The logo shows a map of Japan complete with islands over which its government has recently fielded bitter verbal exchanges with South Korea and China.
"Senkaku and Takeshima are all included," Hashimoto said. "We included them because we are going to become a national party."
Japan administers the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China and claimed by both Beijing and Taipei. The Takeshima islets are claimed by Japan but administered by South Korea, which calls them Dokdo.
Addressing the standoffs, Hashimoto appeared to call for moderation.
"It's natural for a nation to defend territory, but it’s not always good to make waves on diplomacy and security," he said.
"We must indeed take strong countermeasures when it comes to a change in the current conditions, but basically we must uphold what has been accumulated. That's the important principle."
Hashimoto said strategic questions should not be hijacked for political gain.
"On territorial issues, diplomacy and security, I don't think it's the role of politicians to clamor loudly."
The logo shows the party's name with a translation in English beneath. It also carries the slogan "Japan's restoration; responsibility for the future."
Above the party name are Chinese characters for "ishin" (restoration) and the Japanese archipelago on a green background.
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