Japan Protests Seabed Naming By China
The Japanese government says it has lodged a strong protest with China over the country's naming of underwater geographical features in areas believed to be around the Senkaku Islands.
The Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea are controlled by Japan, and claimed by China and Taiwan.
China's Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Tuesday that it had named 50 submarine topographical features in the East China Sea.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide told reporters on Thursday that the Senkaku Islands are indisputably an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of both history and international law.
He said China's naming of seabed features around the islands will not change that.
Suga pointed out that some of the names China has given are based on its claims regarding the Senkaku Islands.
Suga said after considering this and other matters comprehensively, the government lodged a strong protest with China through diplomatic channels.
