Japan to establish new outposts on remote islands

According to AFP, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported on May 19 that Japan will establish new outposts on remote islands to strengthen its defense capabilities amid ongoing territorial disputes with China.

The newspaper quoted unnamed senior Japanese Defense Ministry officials as saying that Tokyo is planning to establish new outposts on three islands located in the far southwest, near the disputed Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu by China) in the East China Sea, including Amamioshima Island located about 150km south of Senkaku.

A Japanese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at a Taiwanese ship near disputed islands on January 24, 2013. (Source: AFP/VNA)

It is expected that there will be about 350 soldiers stationed on each of these islands.

The other two proposed sites for the outpost are Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island, 210km southwest and 170km south of the Diaoyu Islands, respectively.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga affirmed that under the new defense program, Japan has decided to increase its military presence in the Southwest region and is currently promoting research for implementation./.

According to VNA