Japan Protests Intrusion By Chinese Ships Off Senkakus
The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Beijing after Chinese government ships entered the country's territorial waters on Tuesday morning.
Japan's Coast Guard reported two ships entered waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters that Japan had demanded the ships swiftly leave Japan's waters. He said the ships had violated international law.
The minister called the entry extremely regrettable and unacceptable. He added that Japan will respond calmly and firmly to any maritime intrusions.
Japan Coast Guard officials said the two Chinese vessels entered waters off Uotsuri Island at around 4:30 a.m. and apparently tried to approach a Japanese fishing boat operating in the area.
This is the 12th time this year that Chinese government ships have been spotted entering Japanese waters off the islands.
Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese government maintains that the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan also claim them.