The defense ministry wanted the larger submarine fleet to improve its ability to patrol particularly the East China Sea, where territorial rows with China frequently erupt, Kyodo News said, citing unnamed officials.

The plan would see the size of the submarine fleet increase from the current 16 to 22, Kyodo said. Jiji Press reported that the ministry intended to expand the fleet to "more than 20" submarines.

The plan will be spelled out in Japan's basic defense programme for fiscal 2011 to 2015, which is set to be compiled in December, Kyodo said.

The ministry plans to buy one new submarine each year while extending the decommissioning period of existing vessels, Kyodo said.

The ministry was considering retiring other warships such as minesweepers, to ease the budgetary impact of the submarine purchases, Kyodo said.

The changes would give Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, as the navy is officially known, its largest submarine capability than at any time since the government adopted its first defence programme in 1976, Kyodo added.

A Japanese defense official declined to comment on the reports, but told AFP that the ministry was planning to extend the decommissioning period of existing submarines.

The reports come at a time of increased tension with China over disputed islands and Beijing's increased military activities in the region.

The Chinese navy has increasingly been deployed to areas near Japanese territorial waters in a show of force by the rapidly developing Asian giant.

Ties between Tokyo and Beijing were badly strained after Japan arrested a Chinese trawler captain near a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea six weeks ago, sparking a barrage of protests from Beijing.

In a tense incident in April this year, a large Chinese flotilla ventured near a group of Japanese islands in the East China Sea and sent out a helicopter that buzzed Japanese navy ships monitoring their movement.

Beijing's increased assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea, has caused jitters among other neighbouring nations as well as the United States, which is also at odds with China over trade and currency issues.

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