The longstanding territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands has once again flared up.  The Japanese government’s recent unilateral move on Sept. 11, 2012 to “nationalize” three of the islands, known as “Senkaku” in Japanese, through a purported “purchase” has reignited tensions in East Asia. But while most attention has focused on the standoff between China and Japan, the Diaoyutai Islands actually form an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) based on the islands’ geographical location, geological structure, relevant historical evidence, and international law. Japan’s claim over the islands simply does not stand up to close scrutiny.