Japan, the island nation of the Pacific, has just made an extraordinary discovery. A new survey conducted by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan has revealed the existence of 7,000 previously unknown islands in the country’s territorial waters. As a result, the number of official islands in Japan is expected to double from 6,852 to 14,125.
The last survey of Japan’s territorial waters was conducted in 1987, making the new survey a landmark event. The survey provides officials with a more accurate understanding of the country’s terrain and is considered an important administrative matter related to the national interest.
The survey was initiated by a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who emphasized the importance of having an accurate count of the number of islands in Japan. While many of the newly discovered islands are just cataloged versions of islands that have been there all along, there have been instances of new island formations in Japan’s territory in the past.
In August 2021, Japan’s Coast Guard discovered a new C-shaped island with a diameter of about .6 miles after a submarine volcano erupted near Iwo Jima. This discovery highlights the ever-changing nature of our planet and the ongoing need to update our knowledge of its geography.
The new survey is not expected to increase Japan’s territory, but it will give officials a better understanding of its geography. As Japan continues to lead in technology and innovation, this new discovery provides a glimpse into the wonders that still remain undiscovered in our world.
Is there geological research being done on these islands?