Japan could nationalize unclaimed islands in its waters to bolster its territorial claims, a government source has said.
The sources said that the government plans to establish a new council aimed at strengthening the administration of Japan's 400 or so remote islands.
The council will also ensure it has control over natural resources in the surrounding waters.
According to Japan Times, the government will collect environmental and other data on the islands and name those yet unnamed.
The source said that the council will be established after the House of Councilors election on July 21.