The legislation from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is expected to be submitted to the Diet (parliament) in January, would establish a 500-metre safety zone around Japanese facilities on its continental shelf and in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The party has already formed a special committee to oversee Japan's interests in its territorial waters.
The law is intended to back up Japan's plan to increase the number of boats and planes that will patrol the disputed region.
The
