19 September 2013 (20:47 UTC-07 Tango 18 September 2013)/14 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/28 Shahrivar 1391/15 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced they will station personnel on the island of Ioto (aka Iwo-to, Iwo Jima) for the specific purpose of spying on China’s military.

Although Ioto is south east of Japan (nowhere near China) defense officials say they can better monitor Chinese naval and air exercises from that point.  However, one official admitted that Japan is making the move to increase its intel gathering in the Pacific Ocean, near the Philippines.

In October, Barack Obama will be in the Philippines pushing for increased military co-operation.