Chinese Ship enters in disputed islands waters, alleges Japan

Tokyo: Three Chinese government ships entered the waters of disputed Tokyo-controlled islands on Monday, Japan’s coastguard said.

The territorial row blistered in September when Tokyo nationalized three islands in the chain, in what it said was a mere administrative change of ownership. Tokyo’s move prompted angry anti-Japan demonstrations across China, which has intensified claims to the islands.

In one of the more intense incidents, Chinese warships locked their weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese destroyer, and opposing fighter planes have shadowed each other on numerous occasions amid warnings a slip-up could lead to a military showdown.

In late April, eight Chinese government vessels sailed into the disputed waters and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed he would “expel by force” any Chinese landing on the islands.