2 Chinese Ships Enter Japan's Territorial Waters Off Senkaku Islands

2 Chinese ships enter Japan's territorial waters off Senkaku Islands

Japan Coast Guard officials say two Chinese government ships have entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The officials say the ships entered the waters off Minamikojima island at around 2:40 a.m. on Friday, after navigating in the contiguous zone just outside the territorial waters with two other Chinese government ships.

Russia Conducts Missile Drills On Islands

Russia conducts missile drills on islands

Russia's military has conducted surface-to-air missile drills on at least one of four islands claimed by Japan.

Russia's Eastern Military District says the S-300 air defense system was moved from a location in the country's Far East.

New District Name In Use For Senkaku Islands

New district name in use for Senkaku Islands

Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, has officially changed the district name of the Senkaku Islands to "Tonoshiro Senkaku" as of Thursday.

Japan controls the Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

Japan To Beef Up Support For Border Islands

Japan to beef up support for border islands

NHK has learned the Japanese government will likely boost economic aid for remote, inhabited islands close to the country's maritime borders.

Seventy-one remote islands have the government's special designation as areas that should be kept inhabited to help protect Japan's territorial waters and exclusive economic zones.

Russia Starts Drills On Japan-claimed Islands

Russia starts drills on Japan-claimed islands

Russia says it has started military drills on the Kuril Islands. The island chain includes Japan's Northern Territories.

Russia's Eastern Military District announced on Tuesday that more than 1,500 soldiers were taking part in drills on two islands. They are Etorofu and Kunashiri, two of the four Russian-controlled islands claimed by Japan.

Kono Meets Ex-residents Of Russian-held Islands

Kono meets ex-residents of Russian-held islands

The Japanese Northern Territories Affairs Minister has met with former residents of the Russian-controlled islands. The Japanese government says the islands are an inherent part of its territory and were illegally occupied after World War Two.

In his first visit to Hokkaido after taking a new Cabinet post, former foreign minister Kono Taro had a discussion with the former residents at the Nakashibetsu town hall on Sunday.

Japan To Focus Social Media On Disputed Islands

Japan to focus social media on disputed islands

Japan's minister in charge of affairs related to a group of islands known as the Northern Territories says the government plans to use social media to raise awareness among young people.

Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The government maintains they are an inherent part of Japan's territory, and were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Chinese Fishing Boats Spotted Off Senkaku Islands

Chinese fishing boats spotted off Senkaku Islands

A Japan Coast Guard patrol ship has left for waters off the Senkaku Islands, where Chinese fishing boats were seen operating on Monday.

The patrol vessel departed from Ishigaki Island in Japan's southwestern Okinawa Prefecture. This came after Beijing on Sunday lifted an annual fishing ban in the East China Sea, including waters off the Senkakus.

Okinawan City Changes Name Of Senkaku Islands

Okinawan city changes name of Senkaku Islands

A city in Japan's southern prefecture has passed a bill to change the administrative name of a group of islands under its authority to officially include the name "Senkaku" for the first time.

The move is drawing criticism from China and Taiwan, which both claim the territory as their own.