Tokyo  - Japan's education ministry on Monday released an educational document that describes islets disputed between Japan and South Korea as part of its territory.

The supplementary instruction for teachers of junior high schools emphasizes the importance of explaining Japan's territory to students and the need to recognize the nation's efforts to protect it.

Currently, only one out of six geography textbooks and three out of eight social studies texts for junior high school mention the Dokdo islets.

Japan and South Korea have long disputed over ownership of the group of islands in the Sea of Japan. (dpa)