Japan exercised its right to territorial sovereignty, and showed China its determination to safeguard its islands by beginning a military expansion near the chain of islands being fought over by the two nations.

Japan has deployed troops and will build a military radar station on Yonaguni Island, a part of the chain of islands off the waters of Taiwan.

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The move, military analysts said, runs the risk of provoking China, which is also claiming the nearby islands.

Japanese Defense Minister, Itsunon Onodera, said Japan might extend its military presence in the other islands near its main islands in the south.

The radar station had been on the drawing board for some time as part of improvements to Japan's defense and surveillance capabilities.

Itsuron said Japan's military deployment in Yonaguni was the first in 40 years since the United States handed back Okinawa in 1972. He added that he is heeding the calls to be more vigilant in safeguarding its territories.

The radar station will enable Japan to monitor Japanese-held territories at 150 km (93 miles). The islands are currently being claimed by China.

The military base, reports said, could further extend its monitoring capabilities to mainland China and track Chinese ships and aircraft circling the islands and other movements.

Reports said Japan has started to aggressively deal with threats from China over territories, and building the base was just a start.

Around 1,500 people live in Yonaguni and some of them are apprehensive about the deployment of troops, fearful of becoming collateral damages should China and Japan end up in a fight.

Others welcomed hosting the radar base hoping that it will bring added income to the residents.