Japan discovered 7 thousand previously unknown islands
The Japanese Geospatial Information Agency stated that there are seven thousand islands in the country that were not mentioned in the previous data. All of them are within the maritime borders of Japan. Their discovery took place thanks to the development of geodesy and cartography technologies. Previously, they were too small and distant to be mapped.
The last official map of Japan was compiled in 1987. The main role in data collection was played by the coast guard. Then it was declared that the territory of the state includes 6,852 islands. However, digital technologies and satellite images were used in the new calculation. As a result, about seven thousand more islands were added to the list, and their number grew to 14,125.
According to CNN, all territories surrounded by water and having an approximate diameter of at least 100 meters were included in the calculation. Artificial islands and embankments are not included in the new data.
- Japan disputes the ownership of four islands of the Southern Kuril Range by Russia. The dispute has not been settled since the end of the Second World War. Although the USSR expressed readiness to return at least two islands to Japan, the Russian authorities declare that they are not ready for any compromises.
- The ownership of the uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the South China Sea is also controversial. They are under the control of Japan, but China claims them. In addition, for more than 70 years, the dispute between Japan and South Korea about the ownership of a group of islands in the Sea of Japan, which Seoul refers to as Dokto, and Tokyo – as Takeshima, has been going on for more than 70 years.
