Japan’s New Remote Island Defense Plan

August 13, 2014 By Clint Richards

The Japanese government is pursuing a comprehensive plan to exert control over its far-flung islands.

The Japanese government is stepping up efforts to increase both its presence and the population’s awareness of claims to remote islands off the western coast of its main islands. The plans include the stationing of troops, increased investment in development, and the strengthening of “maritime education.” While these plans target islands from as far north as Hokkaido all the way south to Okinawa, they are still primarily concerned with exerting Japan’s claims to islands that are disputed with China.

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