Japan parliament passes law to help keep remote islands inhabited

TOKYO - The Japanese parliament on Wednesday passed legislation to financially support remote islands near the country's borders to prevent them from becoming uninhabited, adding six islets belonging to Tokyo, Hokkaido and elsewhere to the eligibility list amid the tough external security environment.

Under the special measures law for inhabited remote islands, which was extended by 10 years beyond the previous deadline of March 2027, a total of 77 islets in nine prefectures will be covered by the measures to maintain local communities, such as lower air and sea fares and support for stable fisheries.