Japan’s government has decided that from now on schools should explicitly teach the country’s territorial claims.

Japan has territorial disputes with China and South Korea over small islands in the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan.

The new teaching manuals require junior and senior high school curricula to clearly describe the Senkaku and Takeshima islands as Japan's territory.

Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura said it was vital for children to have a correct understanding of their nation’s territory.

He said teachers should teach that there is no dispute over the Senkakus, which are controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

Shimomura also said that Takeshima should be described as "illegally occupied by South Korea."