Ownership of these islands, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are the topic of heated debate between the two neighbouring nations.<br/> <br />Both are jockeying for control of the isles, thought to sit atop vast frozen natural gas deposits.<br/> <br />On Tuesday, Japan's cabinet said it planned to approach South Korea to create a joint proposal to go before the International Court of Justice.<br/> <br />Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said the dispute came to a head after South Korea's president toured the islands earlier this month.<br/> <br />The international court move is largely symbolic, though, since South Korea would have to support the case for it to be considered.<br/> <br />Meanwhile, South Korea legislators met on Tuesday, urging Japan to withdraw its claim over the islands.<br/> <br />Seoul is unlikely to support Japan's proposal and take the matter before the international court.
