Government initiatives
The Japanese government is determined to resolutely protect Japan’s territory, territorial seas and airspace. The Japanese government will continue to respond to attempts against Japanese territorial integrity firmly and calmly, in line with the overall foreign policy.
All government ministries and agencies work as one in close cooperation on issues concerning territorial integrity within the scope of respective jurisdictions.
Office of Policy Planning and Coordination on Territory and Sovereignty, Cabinet Secretariat
The Office of Policy Planning and Coordination on Territory and Sovereignty (“Territory Office”) coordinates and explores communication policies, in close cooperation with relevant government ministries and agencies, in order to promote correct understanding at home and abroad about relevant facts and Japan’s position concerning Japan’s territorial integrity.
Northern Territories Affairs Administration, Cabinet Office
The Northern Territories Affairs Administration of the Cabinet Office promotes and implements various measures that contribute to the eventual solution of the Northern Territories Issues. These include enhancing public relations and outreach with the aim of rallying public opinion and boosting awareness in support of relevant diplomatic negotiations, supporting campaigns for the reversion of the Northern territories conducted by various actors, and implementing exchange programs with the four Northern Islands.
Further details of initiatives by the Northern Territories Affairs Administration, Cabinet Office
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works to resolve Japan’s territorial issues on the basis of historical facts and international law, while striving to thoroughly explain to the outside world the various challenges related to Japanese territorial integrity, bearing in mind the international law perspective, in order to promote the correct understanding of Japan’s position among members of the international community.
Further details of initiatives by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology works to ensure that matters related to Japanese territorial integrity are appropriately taught in schools in accordance with children’s stage of development in such a way as to promote correct understanding among Japanese children about the territory of their own country.
Further details of initiatives by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense ensures security in territorial waters, airspace, as well as in the surrounding areas, and conducts surveillance and reconnaissance activities therefor in surrounding sea areas.
Further details of initiatives by the Ministry of Defense
Japan Coast Guard
The Japan Coast Guard firmly and calmly responds to provocations by foreign government vessels as well as by vessels with activists making their own groundless assertions concerning the territorial sovereignty of Japanese territories on board, in accordance with international law and domestic laws.
Further details of initiatives by the Japan Coast Guard
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan
The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) develops maps of the entire territory of Japan including remote islands.
Further details of initiatives by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan