TOKYO, July 7:Japan and China exchanged accusations on Tuesday after their coast guard vessels confronted each other near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, with both countries claiming they had driven the other’s vessels out of waters they consider their own.
According to Japan’s Coast Guard, two Chinese coast guard ships approached a Japanese fishing boat operating near the uninhabited islands. Japanese authorities ordered the Chinese vessels to leave the area, and the ships reportedly departed at around 9:20 a.m. local time. Additional coast guard vessels were deployed to ensure the safety of the fishing boat.
China’s Coast Guard, however, said a Japanese fishing vessel, identified as Zuiho Maru, had entered waters claimed by Beijing. Chinese authorities said they took “necessary control measures” and ordered the vessel to leave the area.
Japan also stated that four Chinese coast guard ships were operating near the islands, with two entering what Tokyo considers its territorial waters. The Japanese government described the incident as a violation of international law and vowed to continue taking firm measures to protect its maritime territory.
The uninhabited islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are administered by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan. The long-running territorial dispute has frequently sparked diplomatic and maritime tensions.
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have become increasingly strained in recent months. Last November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could intervene militarily if Taiwan came under attack, drawing strong criticism from Beijing.
China has since warned its citizens about traveling to Japan and imposed trade restrictions on several Japanese companies. Last month, Japan also announced that two Japanese nationals had been detained in China on allegations of attempting to smuggle restricted rare earth materials out of the country.
