Minamitorishima , sometimes known as Minami-Tori-shima or Minami-Torishima and also known as Marcus Island, is an isolated Japanese coral atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It is the easternmost and most isolated territory belonging to Japan, and the only Japanese territory on the Pacific Plate, past the Japan Trench. Although small, it is of strategic importance, as it enables Japan to claim a 428,875 km2 (125,040 sq nmi) exclusive economic zone in the surrounding waters.