Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has vowed to separately tackle the disputed territorial claims over Korea's Dokdo Islets and the Senkaku Islands.
After reshuffling his cabinet Monday, Noda said the Korea-controlled Dokdo islets are an inherent part of Japanese territory, but because Korea has the effective control over them, he plans to take the issue unilaterally to the International Court of Justice.
Regarding the Japan-controlled Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, Noda said there's no need to take the matter to the international court as the islands are clearly a part of Japan's history and territory.
Noda said Tokyo stands firm on the issue of the Senkaku Islands, but the cabinet plans to have various diplomatic channels open to calm the situation down and narrow differences with China over sovereignty rights.

Reporter : mkji@arirang.co.kr