Japan is an archipelago made up of countless islands of varying sizes. A recent census of these landmasses revealed a surprising update: the total number of islands is far higher than previously reported. Digital mapping led by the Japan Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) has identified 14,125 islands within Japanese territory, more than double the 6,852 islands tallied in the 1987 Japan Coast Guard report. The new tally reflects advances in surveying technology and higher-resolution mapping rather than a sudden change in land ownership or geography.
The GSI emphasized that the updated count results from modern measurement techniques and improved cartographic detail. As a result, the total land area attributed to Japan remains unchanged, even as the number of islands increases. This distinction matters for governance, navigation, and environmental planning, but it does not alter the country’s territorial footprint in square kilometers.
Officials noted that, despite the lack of a universal international standard for counting islands, Japan applies the same size criterion used in the 1980s census. Specifically, natural landmasses with a circumference of at least 100 meters are included in the tally. This criterion continues to define what is counted as an island in official statistics, according to reports from major outlets such as CNN. The update does not count artificial reclamations, which are excluded from the island total.
The revised figures contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Japan’s archipelago and its geographic diversity. They also underscore the importance of precise geographic data for disaster preparedness, maritime navigation, and regional administration across Japan’s many islands.
Territorial disputes over various islands
The islands surrounding Japan have long been at the center of territorial disagreements with neighboring nations. These disputes stem from overlapping claims, historical administerial arrangements, and strategic considerations tied to sovereignty, resources, and national identity.
For instance, Japan asserts sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands, which Tokyo refers to as the Northern Territories. These lands are currently controlled by Russia, a status that traces back to the end of World War II when Soviet forces seized them from Japan. The issue remains a source of tension between Tokyo and Moscow and is a key element in broader regional diplomacy.
Japan also maintains a historical claim to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. While Japan exercises administrative control over the islets, China has repeatedly disputed this claim, leading to periodic diplomatic confrontations and heightened regional sensitivity around maritime rights and resource exploration.
In the western Pacific, another longstanding contention involves the Dokdo/Takeshima islets. Seoul refers to them as Dokdo, while Tokyo calls them Takeshima. Located in the Sea of Japan, these islets have been a point of friction for more than seven decades, reflecting enduring nationalist sentiments and the challenges of resolving boundary disputes in a complex geopolitical environment.
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