Part of Tokyo's Ogasawara Village, the Okinotorishima and Minamitorishima Islands are located at the southernmost and easternmost edges of Japan. Their exclusive economic zones exceed the area of national land, and valuable marine resources have been found in their surrounding areas.
Remote Islands" under the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Development of Base Facilities and Preservation of the Low-Tide Line for the Promotion of Use and Conservation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf. This means that their surrounding exclusive economic zones, etc. have to be preserved and used properly in light of the geographical conditions, social circumstances, status of facility development, and other considerations.
Maintaining, preserving, and utilizing the islands bring us the ocean's blessings, which are essential to lives of citizens of Tokyo and to maintaining and developing Tokyo's urban power. They're extremely important islands in preserving the national land that also contribute to the nation's interests.
The official website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government