Japan has begun construction work on a military
radar station near a string of
islands that is at the
centre of a territorial dispute with China.
Correspondents say the move will
anger Beijing as it may allow Japan to expand surveillance near the Chinese mainland.
The new base - on Yonaguni island - is located just 150km from the
Japanese-held Senkaku island group, claimed by China as the Diaoyu islands.
About 150 personnel are due to be deployed on Yonaguni within two years. During
a ceremony to mark the start of project, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori
Onodera said, his country's military presence could be extended to other
islands in the region.
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