Associated Press
Japan’s coast guard shadows a Chinese marine surveillance ship in the East China Sea in this 2013 image. Japan is set to boost its coast guard in the region.
Japan’s government has announced it will bolster its coast guard capabilities to defend its Senkaku islands.
The government said Japan’s 2017 coast guard budget will reach a record 210bn yen ($1.8bn) to add eight new ships and more than 200 law enforcement officials.
The 14-ship fleet will add five large surveillance ships and three research vessels.
Abe’s cabinet on Thursday is set to approve a defence budget expected to be around 5.1tn yen ($44bn), another new high since Abe took office in 2012, according to Japanese media.
Abe’s cabinet on Thursday is set to approve a defence budget expected to be around 5.1tn yen ($44bn), another new high since Abe took office in 2012, according to Japanese media.
The reports said upgraded missile defence and new submarine construction were behind the increase.
Wednesday’s decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would let Japan add to its maritime presence in the islands' s surrounding waters.
Abe said Japan needed to “substantially strengthen the structure and capabilities” of the coast guard. “We will urgently begin strengthening our [maritime safety] structure,” he said.
The islands are at the centre of a diplomatic row and both Japan and China send patrol vessels and aircrafts there routinely, raising concerns of an accidental collision or other risks.
The new coast guard budget will also cover the cost of putting video transmission devices on vessels dedicated to Senkaku patrols, while strengthening maritime surveillance and other measures, Abe said.
Wednesday’s decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would let Japan add to its maritime presence in the islands' s surrounding waters.
Abe said Japan needed to “substantially strengthen the structure and capabilities” of the coast guard. “We will urgently begin strengthening our [maritime safety] structure,” he said.
The islands are at the centre of a diplomatic row and both Japan and China send patrol vessels and aircrafts there routinely, raising concerns of an accidental collision or other risks.
The new coast guard budget will also cover the cost of putting video transmission devices on vessels dedicated to Senkaku patrols, while strengthening maritime surveillance and other measures, Abe said.
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