1.   Forays to the islands by Japanese right-wing groups over the summer to erect a lighthouse and other markers inflamed Chinese nationalistic passions.

2.   Relations between the two countries deteriorated last summer after Japanese ultranationalists erected a lighthouse on a group disputed islands that are claimed by China, Japan and Taiwan.

3.   There were similar protests last year after members of a Japanese right-wing group erected a lighthouse on the islands.

4.   He said they would carry explosives and secretly land on the island where the lighthouse has been erected.

5.   His death came amidst mounting protests, unleashed in mid-July when Japanese nationalists erected a lighthouse on one of the islands.

6.   A protest ship from Hong Kong unsuccessfully tried to land on the islands last year, after Japanese rightists erected a lighthouse on one of the islands.

7.   A Chinese oil-rig was spotted on one of the islands earlier this year and Japanese rightists reportedly erected a lighthouse on another island last month.

8.   Anti-Japanese sentiment surged in Hong Kong after ultra-nationalists in July erected a lighthouse on the islands, which are claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan.

9.   Anger erupted in Taiwan after Japan refused to stop a right-wing Japanese group from erecting a lighthouse and raising national flags on the disputed islands in July.

10.   The right wing Japan Youth Federation angered China and Taiwan by erecting a lighthouse in July on one of the disputed islands.