What happened after Japan purchased several Senkaku Islands from private owners in 2012?

In 2012, the Japanese government’s purchase of several Senkaku Islands from private owners significantly escalated regional tensions. This action triggered widespread protests within China and led to a notable increase in maritime patrols by Chinese vessels in the waters surrounding the islands.1

While no armed conflict has resulted from these events, the islands remain a persistent and sensitive source of friction in Sino-Japanese relations. The dispute is rooted in competing sovereignty claims over the territory, which is also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan. The strategic importance of the area is further heightened by the potential for oil reserves in the surrounding seabed, a factor that has influenced diplomatic relations since the early 1970s.12