Japan PM Vows to Defend Islands From China

Japan's prime minister vowed Saturday to defend disputed remote islands from threats by China after a series of confrontations that have raised the risk of an armed clash.

"The security environment surrounding our country is increasingly becoming more severe as we face provocation to our territorial rights," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "I will take the lead to stand up against the present danger and protect the people's lives and asset, as well as our land, the seas and the air at all costs."

His comments, made in a speech to Japan's Self-Defense Forces in the country's south, apparently referred to China's growing presence near the disputed islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. Japan's nationalization of the islands in September triggered violent protests across China, hurting Japanese companies there and the economy.
[link to abcnews.go.com]