TOKYO, May 20 — In response to escalating Chinese maneuvers near the Senkaku Islands, Japan is setting up military outposts on three islands near the disputed island chain.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, about 350 Japanese soldiers will be deployed to Amami, Miyako and Ishigaki islands.

The news comes after Tokyo announced last month plans to send 150 troops to Yonaguni Island, near Taiwan. The groundbreaking ceremony for a military radar station on Yonaguni Island was held in April.

Japan is also boosting its air force presence in the area. Tokyo plans to double the number of F-15 fighter jets stationed at Naha air base in Okinawa to 40 from 20 by next year. E2C long-range sea and air surveillance planes were deployed at the Naha air base in April. — Reuters

A group of disputed islands, Uotsuri island (top), Minamikojima (bottom) and Kitakojima, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China is seen in the East China Sea, in this photo taken by Kyodo September 2012. — Reuters pic