Japan criticizes China for 'using force' in maritime disputes

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has criticized China for escalating tensions on disputed Senkakus islands that are directly affecting its relations with Japan and other Asian nations.

Abe comments came after the recent reports of a large Chinese crane ship building a drilling facility in the East China Sea near the Japan-claimed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZs) came in.

Abe said that Japan and China must resolve the issue through dialogue, pressuring Beijing to ease its conditions for holding a bilateral summit.

The Japan Times reports that China is demanding that Tokyo acknowledges the existence of a bilateral territorial dispute and shelve the issue involving the Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by China and Taiwan.

According to the report, the Japan Coast Guard said three Chinese maritime surveillance vessels entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus, despite their warning.