Question

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

1. It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
2. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
3. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
4. Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands were formally claimed by Japan in 1895 and have been privately owned by a series of Japanese citizens for most of the past 120 years.
China began to reassert claims over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the 1970s, citing historic rights to the area.
Tensions between China and Japan over the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu islands continue to increase as both countries improve their military capabilities, particularly their radar and missile systems, in the region.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity|International Relations

Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Last updated on Sep, 2026

→ UPSC 2027 Notification will be released on 13 January 2027 at upsconline.nic.in.

Tags: Analytical factual UPSC Prelims 2022 UPSC Prelims 2022 Question

Prafulla Vats

Prafulla Vats is an experienced SEO and content strategist with over 4 years of expertise in driving organic growth across education and service niches. He specializes in crafting data-driven content strategies that help students and professionals access accurate, well-researched information. Through his work, he focuses on improving visibility, engagement, and trust through high-quality, SEO-optimized content.