A leading Japanese daily says the Japanese government is distributing a massive number of pamphlets laying territorial claim to Dokdo, Korea's easternmost islets.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's Foreing Ministry disseminated through its overseas missions some 23-thousand copies of such pamphlets in English, Japanese and Korean.

The paper said the ministry also distributed Arabic and Chinese versions early this month.

The pamphlets carry Japan's claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory and that Korea has failed to present clear proof of its effective control of the islets.