Tokyo signals defense shift to disputed islands

Tokyo unveiled plans on Friday to seek more national funding for vessels and manpower to enhance their presence in remote islands, a move believed to be aimed at beefing up their claim over China's Diaoyu Islands.

Amid escalating tensions between China and Japan over the islands in the East China Sea, the Japanese Coast Guard on Friday released plans to seek more money in the 2013 financial year to purchase four patrol ships to equip the major forces engaged in "safeguarding territorial waters", Japan's Jiji Press News Agency said.

Japan will buy another three large patrol vessels to deal with any ships protesting its territorial claims and will add about 150 military personnel to "beef up maritime guarding and anti-disaster mechanisms".