The Japanese government has chosen the first group of locations subject to new land use regulations for safeguarding national security.

A government council formally selected 58 sites on Friday, based on legislation that took effect in September.

The law allows the government to designate "watch zones" or "special watch zones" around facilities deemed important for national security.

The use of land and other activities will be restricted in the zones.

Half of the 58 sites are "watch zones" and the rest are "special watch zones." They include remote border islands and areas around Self-Defense Forces' facilities in Hokkaido, Aomori, Tokyo, Shimane and Nagasaki prefectures.

The government council plans to select more locations over the coming two years or so. A total of about 600 sites are expected to be designated under the law.