Japan officials to visit disputed islands
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Tokyo city officials intending to buy tiny islands at the center of a longtime territorial dispute with China will travel by boat on Saturday to survey the area ahead of the purchase they hope will bolster Japan's claim.
The five uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan have become a major symbol of patriotic pride for some people in China and Japan. They are near key sea lanes, and are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and untapped natural resources. (AP)
