“Remote border islands serve as basepoints for Japan’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The parties aim to improve support amid the islands’ rising importance for security and hope to submit a related bill for passage in the current Diet [national legislature] session.”
“The newly added islands are Teurito and Yagishirito in Hokkaido, Tobishima in Yamagata Prefecture, Awashima in Niigata Prefecture and Niijima and Shikinejima in Tokyo. The islands will be on the list for the first time.”
“Currently, Japan has 148 inhabited islands spread across 29 regions. Of these, 71 in 15 regions are designated under the law as Specified Remote, Inhabited Islands, making them priority targets for financial support from the central government. They play a vital role as bases for territorial sea patrols and marine surveys. Were they to become uninhabited, it would be difficult to maintain these activities.”
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260227-313821/