With an election looming, the Japanese government will not want to provoke nationalist wrath. That is one reason why the Maritime Safety Agency has been reluctant to say if or when it will authorise that troublesome lighthouse on the Diaoyu Islands.
Wondering what excuses the agency could find for further delay, Quarry Bay called its headquarters.
There were many aspects to be checked, an official told us. Whether the light worked and was properly positioned, plus whether it had any real navigational role. And there had to be consultations with the island's owner.
We pointed out that the owner had already publicly denounced the Japan Youth Federation, which set up the lighthouse, for trespassing on his land.
Mmmm, said the official, but the lighthouse safety officer would still have to contact him by letter.
Would diplomatic relations be taken into account in the decision, we asked. At this point, we were put on hold while the official position was checked more carefully.
Finally, the Foreign Relations Division came back to us with some carefully prepared answers.