Japan to send more patrol vessels near disputed islands: Japanese media

Japanese media say Tokyo will deploy two more patrol ships near the disputed islands in the East China Sea for defensive purposes.

According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the vessels, including a 3,100-ton Chikuzen and a 335-ton Kurose, are set to be positioned at the regional coast guard in August and October.

Japan said it held a military exercise ‘focusing on island defense’ near Tokyo on Sunday. According to a statement issued by the Japanese Defense Ministry, the military drill was held at training grounds in Narashino.

Reports say a total of 20 aircraft, 300 personnel and 33 vehicles participated in the exercise.

Following the military exercise, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said in a statement, “Chinese ships… trespassed our water near Senkaku Islands; as such, the security environment surrounding us is becoming tougher.”

“In this security environment we’re facing, we will enhance the readiness of the Self-Defense Force by reconsidering our defense policy in order to rigidly protect our people’s lives and properties, and our land,” Onodera added.

On January 7, four state-owned Chinese surveillance ships entered the waters surrounding the disputed islands. According to the reports, it was the 21st time that Chinese ships had been seen in the territory since September, 2012.

Japan and China have long been in a dispute over the sovereignty of the islands, which would give the owner exclusive oil, mineral and fishing rights in the surrounding waters.

The islands, which are controlled by Japan and form part of Okinawa prefecture, are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

China presented the United Nations with a detailed explanation of its sovereignty over the disputed islands based on certain geological features in December 2012.

Tensions heightened between the two countries after Japan signed a deal on September 11, 2012 to buy three of the islands from their private Japanese owner in line with plans to nationalize the archipelago. Hundreds of Chinese held several anti-Japan demonstrations following the Japanese move.