Japan to toughen stand on Diaoyu Islands?

2012-08-21 03:53:41 GMT2012-08-21 11:53:41(Beijing Time) SINA.com

By Zhao Wei, Sina English

Japan mulling use of Self-Defense Forces

Akihisa Nagashima, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s adviser on matters of defense, stated on Sunday that Japan needs to increase its surveillance of disputed territories, calling for the use of the Self-Defense Forces.

Nagashima’s comments come after the landing of a group of Hong Kong activists last week on the Diaoyu Islands.

"We need to consider various uses of constabulary forces, including the Self-Defense Forces," Akihisa Nagashima told a TV program on Sunday.

Tokyo Government's landing application turned down

Japan's central government also faces a tough decision on whether to approve the Tokyo Metropolitan government’s application to send officials to the islands for a so-called survey as part of a bid to buy the islands from their private Japanese owners.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura said on Monday the government had returned the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's application to land on the islands, which the central government currently leased from its owners, because “not enough information is available.”

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