Japan protests Chinese activity near disputed islands

In this Sept. 2012 photo, the tiny islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese are seen. AP FILE PHOTO /Kyodo News

TOKYO — Japan is protesting what is said was an unauthorized Chinese maritime survey within its economic waters near disputed East China Sea islands.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said it lodged a protest with Beijing after a Chinese maritime research ship was seen dropping a wire-like object into the water off the northwestern coast of Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands on Sunday.

China also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyu.

The ministry said Monday it urged China to immediately stop the survey.

Also Monday, Japan’s coast guard said four Chinese patrol ships violated Japanese territorial waters off Senkaku.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said a Chinese frigate was spotted Sunday near Miyako Strait, and a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft was flying above East China Sea. The latter prompted Japan to scramble a fighter jet. /kga