After two Chinese coast guard ships entered waters off the Senkaku islands over the weekend, Japan protested against China's intrusion in the uninhabited islets in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tokyo-strongly-opposes-chinese-ships-entering-japanese-waters-off-disputed-east-china-sea-islands-334970">East China Sea</a>.

Tensions have escalated between the two countries after Beijing enacted a legislation allowing its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships that it views illegally entered its waters.

Japan and China are locked in a dispute over the islands in the East China Sea which Tokyo calls the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-academic-claims-abe-government-snubbed-president-xis-east-china-sea-peace-offer-331215">Senkakus </a>and Beijing the Diaoyu. The islets are administered by Japan, however, Beijing claims the islands as its own.

"We made a strong protest through diplomatic routes both in Tokyo and Beijing, strongly demanding that they immediately stop their moves to try to approach Japanese fishing vessels and that they swiftly leave the territorial waters," Japanese government spokesman Katsubonu Kato said, while adding that the country has "repeatedly demanded they leave, while ensuring safety of fishing vessels".&nbsp;

"Japan can never tolerate such moves, " the Japanese government spokesman said. The United States defense secretary Lloyd Austin had earlier said the country "remains opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea" amid tensions with China.

The current Biden administration has continued the same line as the previous Trump's government which had said that Beijing's maritime claims in the South China Sea was "completely unlawful."

After two Chinese coast guard ships entered waters off the Senkaku islands over the weekend, Japan protested against China's intrusion in the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea.

After two Chinese coast guard ships entered waters off the Senkaku islands over the weekend, Japan protested against China's intrusion in the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea. Tensions have escalated between the two countries after Beijing enacted a legislation allowing its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships that it views illegally entered its waters. Japan and China are locked in a dispute over the islands in the East China Sea which Tokyo calls the Senkakus and Beijing the Diaoyu. The islets are administered by Japan, however, Beijing claims the islands as its own. "We made a strong protest through diplomatic routes both in Tokyo and Beijing, strongly demanding that they immediately stop their moves to try to approach Japanese fishing vessels and that they swiftly leave the territorial waters," Japanese government spokesman Katsubonu Kato said, while adding that the country has "repeatedly demanded they leave, while ensuring safety of fishing vessels". "Japan can never tolerate such moves, " the Japanese government spokesman said. The United States defense secretary Lloyd Austin had earlier said the country "remains opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea" amid tensions with China. The current Biden administration has continued the same line as the previous Trump's government which had said that Beijing's maritime claims in the South China Sea was "completely unlawful."

Japan protests after two Chinese coast guard ships enter islands in East China Sea

Newly appointed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-foreign-minister-visits-japan-to-seek-cooperation-amid-regional-tensions-345113">Japanese </a>Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday reviewed the country's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) troops in Iruma Air Base in Saitama prefecture.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-australia-and-japan-could-strengthen-the-quad-344189/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Japanese prime minister in his address said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-japan-australia-align-to-counter-chinas-growing-regional-influence-344175">defence</a> forces should develop capabilities to tackle new battlefields in outer space, cyberspace and electromagnetic fields.

"It is getting more difficult for each organisation (Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces) to deal with separately," PM Suga said, adding, "It is important that we break barriers between ground, maritime and air self-Defense forces and tackle security challenges together."

Japan has been locked in a cold war with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-indian-australian-japanese-naval-forces-have-proved-their-ability-nimitz-commander-on-malabar-naval-exercise-344566">China</a> over the East China Sea even as the two countries have begun engaging in high-level talks. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi had recently visited Japan amid Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region.&nbsp;

Wang met PM Suga during his two-day visit to Tokyo as the foreign minister said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to build "good working relations" with his Japanese counterpart. Wang asserted that his country would like to make the East China Sea "the sea of peace" in cooperation with Japan.

Japanese media had earlier reported it is ready to sign a defence pact with Australia amid growing threat from China's military power in the region.&nbsp;

Suga had visited Vietnam earlier as part of his first overseas trip since taking office last month and agreed to step up security and defence cooperation with an agreement in principle for Japan to export defence equipment and technology to Vietnam as it seeks to keep China influence in the South China Sea under control.

"The two sides agreed to tighten cooperation before regional challenges including the issue of the South China Sea," said Suga during his visit to Vietnam.

Newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday reviewed the country's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) troops in Iruma Air Base in Saitama prefecture.

Newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday reviewed the country's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) troops in Iruma Air Base in Saitama prefecture. Watch: The Japanese prime minister in his address said that the defence forces should develop capabilities to tackle new battlefields in outer space, cyberspace and electromagnetic fields. "It is getting more difficult for each organisation (Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces) to deal with separately," PM Suga said, adding, "It is important that we break barriers between ground, maritime and air self-Defense forces and tackle security challenges together." Japan has been locked in a cold war with China over the East China Sea even as the two countries have begun engaging in high-level talks. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi had recently visited Japan amid Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region. Wang met PM Suga during his two-day visit to Tokyo as the foreign minister said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to build "good working relations" with his Japanese counterpart. Wang asserted that his country would like to make the East China Sea "the sea of peace" in cooperation with Japan. Japanese media had earlier reported it is ready to sign a defence pact with Australia amid growing threat from China's military power in the region. Suga had visited Vietnam earlier as part of his first overseas trip since taking office last month and agreed to step up security and defence cooperation with an agreement in principle for Japan to export defence equipment and technology to Vietnam as it seeks to keep China influence in the South China Sea under control. "The two sides agreed to tighten cooperation before regional challenges including the issue of the South China Sea," said Suga during his visit to Vietnam.

Japan PM Suga reviews air defence troops, calls joint effort to develop new capabilities

Amid reports of Chinese foreign minister seeking to meet Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, &nbsp;a Japanese academician has claimed that the&nbsp;government rejected an offer from China to reduce tensions in the disputed East China Sea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-china-targets-south-china-sea-rivals-with-vaccine-diplomacy-327773">Also Read:&nbsp;Now, China targets South China Sea rivals with vaccine diplomacy</a>

Japan has been concerned over Chinese naval activities in the East China Sea. Professor Liu Qingbin from Yokohama National University in Japan told a newspaper that China had almost completely stopped activities in the East China Sea ahead of President Xi's visit in April but it could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Suga had earlier held a telephonic conversation with President Xi as the Japanese prime minister stressed on the importance of stable Japan-China ties.

Shinzo Abe was the Japanese prime minister at the time as reports claimed that China reduced its activities in Diaoyu Islands, which Japan calls the Senkaku Islands. However, &nbsp;Liu asserted that the peace moves were met with hostility as Japan's right-wing groups reportedly hired fishing boats and entered the East China Sea region leading to clashes.

Shinzo Abe stepped down earlier this month over health reasons making way for Liberal Democratic Party's Suga. Abe had visited Beijing in earlier in October 2018.

The new prime minister of Japan said that he had agreed to pursue high-level contacts with President Xi during his talks with Xi.

"Stable relations are important not just for our countries but for the region and the international community. I want to fulfil that responsibility," Suga told pubic broadcaster NHK after speaking Xi.

Amid reports of Chinese foreign minister seeking to meet Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, a Japanese academician has claimed that the government rejected an offer from China to reduce tensions in the disputed East China Sea.

Amid reports of Chinese foreign minister seeking to meet Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, a Japanese academician has claimed that the government rejected an offer from China to reduce tensions in the disputed East China Sea. Also Read: Now, China targets South China Sea rivals with vaccine diplomacy Japan has been concerned over Chinese naval activities in the East China Sea. Professor Liu Qingbin from Yokohama National University in Japan told a newspaper that China had almost completely stopped activities in the East China Sea ahead of President Xi's visit in April but it could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Suga had earlier held a telephonic conversation with President Xi as the Japanese prime minister stressed on the importance of stable Japan-China ties. Shinzo Abe was the Japanese prime minister at the time as reports claimed that China reduced its activities in Diaoyu Islands, which Japan calls the Senkaku Islands. However, Liu asserted that the peace moves were met with hostility as Japan's right-wing groups reportedly hired fishing boats and entered the East China Sea region leading to clashes. Shinzo Abe stepped down earlier this month over health reasons making way for Liberal Democratic Party's Suga. Abe had visited Beijing in earlier in October 2018. The new prime minister of Japan said that he had agreed to pursue high-level contacts with President Xi during his talks with Xi. "Stable relations are important not just for our countries but for the region and the international community. I want to fulfil that responsibility," Suga told pubic broadcaster NHK after speaking Xi.

Japanese academic claims Abe government snubbed President Xi's East China Sea peace offer