No mans Island!

 

Okinotoro Islands (distant bird island) are about 1977 acres of uninhabited land, however most of the actual 'dry' land is made of 4 concrete encasing (previously 6 as two were lost to erosion).   It has a platform structure located within it's lagoon area that houses a research station.  This island is VERY remote.. it appears to be over 1000 miles from any real chunk of land.  Technically, the "islands" are not islands under UN Law of the Sea as they cannot sustain human life or economic life.  Therefor,  no country can claim this land as their exclusive economic zone.  Because of this law,  it is deemed that Japan cannot claim the area, as it does now.  In 1925, a Japanese Navy ship investigated the area and confirmed that no other country had claimed the reefs.  The Japenese then declared it their territory and placed it under their jurisdiction.  Between 1939 and 1941 a foundation was completed for a lighthouse and a meteorological observation area , however WWII halted it's construction.  In the years of 1987 and 1994, the government of Japan  built steel breakwaters and concrete walls surrounding the area to stop erosion.   In 1988, The Japan Marine Science and Technology Center built a marine investigation facility which they continue to maintain.  Betweent 2005 and 2007, a lighthouse beacon , radar system and a repaired heliport were installed. Talks today continue about building a power station.  Japan has spent over 600 million on upkeep of the atoll.  They've even planted additional coral to help in it's protection.  The waters surrounding the reefs are potentially rich in oil and other resources.  It is also strategically located for military significance.   At hight tide the dry area is no greater than a small bedroom, in low tide it is double that size.  The "atoll (not island) is always at risk for typhoons.  Japan currently claims over 154,000 square miles around Okinotorishima, but the People's Republic of China dispute this claim.  They state the atoll is only rocks (not an island) and cannot be claimed.   China hasn't made a claim on the atoll, but it's definitely a topic of debate.  China does not want to claim this tiny island.  Japan has gone to great lengths to possess these tiny islets  as it allows Japan to claim and extra 150,000 square miles of exclusive economic zones, strategically located between Taiwan and US military bases.