Japan claims 280 uninhabited islands
Tokyo announces plan to register 280 isolated isles as state property, as National Security Council is launched, tightening Abe's grip
Japan yesterday said it will accelerate the nationalisation of 280 uninhabited islands in a bid to strengthen control of the country's maritime territory.
Ichita Yamamoto, minister for oceanic policies and territorial issues, said Tokyo would formally register the remote islands, which are among the more than 400 land features that define Japan's territorial waters.
"We will register the remote islands as state property to enhance their management," Yamamoto said.
Also yesterday, Tokyo formally launched the administrative office of Japan's newly established National Security Council, which would strengthen Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's control over various security agencies.
Tokyo earlier claimed the need for forming a national security council as a response to China's increasing military assertiveness. But Chinese scholars viewed it as Japan's attempt to rearm itself and increase its military presence in the region.
Both moves announced by Tokyo yesterday could further fuel tensions between Japan and its neighbours China and South Korea.