Japan has decided to name several uninhabited islands in a group that is also claimed by China and Taiwan, a move likely to anger the Asian neighbors.
Japan's chief government spokesman said Monday that 39 uninhabited islands will be given names by the end of March.
The islands all are within what Japan claims as its exclusive economic zone. But four of them are in the Senkaku, or Daioyu, island group in the East China Sea, which is also claimed by Taiwan and China and have been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations.
Soichi Yamagata, on official with the Cabinet office, said the names will be used for new maps. He said the islets are within Japan's established exclusive economic zone and will not change any maritime boundaries. (AP)
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