The government is considering setting up an exhibit in central Tokyo from next year to raise awareness of Japan's stance on territorial issues with South Korea, China and Russia, a government source said Sunday.
The territories in question are a group of South Korean-controlled islets in the Sea of Japan called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are claimed by China where they are known as the Diaoyus, and the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.
Some materials are currently on exhibit at a the Japan Coast Guard's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department facility in Tokyo's Koto Ward. That exhibit, which is open weekdays, has attracted a meager audience of some 100 visitors each month.
But the government believes that the planned permanent exhibition in the heart of the capital would draw far more visitors, the source said.
To back up Japan's claim to the islands, historical documents such as marine charts and hydrographic maps made before World War II are expected to be displayed, the source said.
"Our aim is not to insist loudly on Japan's sovereignty rights," the source said, instead stressing the importance of having people learn about their country's territories.
In a related move, the government has posted 200 additional materials on Takeshima and the Senkakus on the website of the Cabinet Secretariat since Friday.