TOKYO - The Japanese government decided to establish a special force to enhance maritime surveillance capability in the waters of disputed islands with China, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) formally decided to establish a special force with 12 patrol vessels and 600 personnel by 2015 in order to improve its maritime surveillance, especially in the disputed islets.

The JCG also incorporated expenditures of 20 ships and 13 aircraft into the budget of fiscal 2013, which has been approved by the government.

Relations between China and Japan have soured since Japan unilaterally "nationalized" the Diaoyu Islands last September, despite China's strong opposition.