Japan PM vows to defend disputed islands from China
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) offers prayers for war dead as he visits the Peace Memorial Park at Itoman in Japan's southern island of Okinawa on Feb 2, 2013 for the first visit to Okinawa since becoming premier in December. Mr Abe vowed to defend Japan against "provocations" as he toured the southern region of Okinawa near islands at the centre of a boiling territorial dispute with China. -- PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AP) - Japan's prime minister vowed on Saturday to defend disputed remote islands from threats by China after a series of confrontations that have raised the risk of an armed clash.
"The security environment surrounding our country is increasingly becoming more severe as we face provocation to our territorial rights," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
"I will take the lead to stand up against the present danger and protect the people's lives and asset, as well as our land, the seas and the air at all costs."
His comments, made in a speech to Japan's Self-Defence Forces in the country's south, apparently referred to China's growing presence near the disputed islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
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