Japan on Friday stepped up its claim to a pair of South Korea-controlled islets, amid escalating tensions with its neighbor resulting from disputes over wartime issues.
"It is clear that Takeshima, which has been illegally occupied by South Korea, is our country's inherent territory in light of historical facts and international law," Hiroshi Ando, a parliamentary vice minister in the Cabinet Office, said of the islands in the Sea of Japan at an annual ceremony hosted by the Shimane Prefectural Government.
"We will take a firm attitude to convey our country's position to the South Korean side and continue to deal with the matter in a persistent and calm manner," Ando said.