The Japanese government has formally named five disputed islands located in the East China Sea in a bid to strengthen its claim against its neighbor China.

Japan's maritime policy department published the list of names of the islets in Senkaku Islands, drawing condemnation from Beijing which claims the region and labeled the move as "invalid." China calls the group of island as Diaoyu.

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The five islands were part of the 158 uninhabited islands named on Friday which Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said was aimed to redefine Tokyo's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone amid the increasing tensions in territorial dispute.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the move is part of Japan's approach to counter China's growing aggressiveness in the disputed islands.

"Japan has our own fundamental position on the Senkaku islands. We only respond appropriately," he said, according to Associated Press.

As expected, Beijing rejected the move and said the action was "illegal and invalid."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Japan's decision to name the disputed island harms Beijing's territory and sovereignty.

"No unilateral action undertaken by Japan can change the fact that Diaoyu and its surrounding islands belong to China," Qin said, stressing that the islands were only stolen by Tokyo in 1895 and should be returned immediately.

Taiwan, which also claims some part of the East China Sea and calls them Diaoyutai, has no official statement on the move. Taiwan and Japan have maintained stability in the region after both countries come up with an arrangement giving Taiwanese fishermen access to the region.

While naming the Islands does not change its legal ownership, the move is seen as strategic and bold to show Japan's willingness to defend its territory, especially against giant China.

In the recent months, Chinese coast guard has confronted the Japanese authorities patrolling in the disputed region though no major armed conflict erupted between the two countries.

Japan has also asked the support of its ally United States over the disputed region. While U.S. said it takes no side in the dispute, President Barack Obama said U.S. is ready to defend Japan if it is under attack as part of its treaty with the Asian country.

Aside from Japan, China has overlapping claims with the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia over the South China Sea that resulted in some serious confrontations with the Asian countries this year alone. 

TagsSenkaku Islands, Diaoyu