Japan dismisses Chinese claims over Senkaku Islands

Japan has dismissed China's claim over disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, and criticized China saying the claim breaks international law. As per reports, Japan's Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo said on Tuesday that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japanese territory, in terms of history and international law. He said the islands are also under Japan's control. China and Taiwan claim the Senkaku islands.
China's Defense Ministry on Monday has justified the country's activities off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea as legitimate. Responding to it, Japan's defense minister said Chinese coast guard activities that are based on China's unilateral claims violate international law and are unacceptable. He said, his ministry will work with other Japanese ministries to step up surveillance of the areas around the disputed islands.
The Japanese government has said that the Japan Coast Guard could legally use weapons against a forceful landing attempt if necessary, under the pretext of responding to a serious and heinous crime. A day earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Japan to "stop dangerous words and actions that may complicate the situation" on the islands. Chinese coast guard ships have been frequently spotted in and out of the islands' territorial waters. Last month, a new legislation allowed China's coast guard to use weapons in waters it considers to be under its jurisdiction. This raised the concerns in Japan.