Japan Threatens Force If China Attempts To Land On Disputed Islands

A Chinese marine surveillance ship Haijian (center) cruises next to Japanese coast guard ships in the East China Sea, near islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China. Radio Free Europe

Japan PM Abe Warns China Of Force Over Islands Landing -- BBC

Japan would respond with force if any attempt is made to land on disputed islands, PM Shinzo Abe has warned.

His comments came as eight Chinese government ships sailed near East China Sea islands that both nations claim.

A flotilla of 10 fishing boats carrying Japanese activists was also reported to be in the area, as well as the Japanese coastguard.

Mr Abe was speaking in parliament hours after dozens of lawmakers visited a controversial war-linked shrine.

A total of 168 lawmakers paid their respects at the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates Japan's war dead, including war criminals, in a move likely to anger regional neighbours who say the shrine is a reminder of Japan's military past.

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More News On Growing Chinese - Japanese Tensions Over Their Maritime Border

Tensions between Japan and China deepen after flotilla of activists sails close to disputed islands and politicians visit war shrine -- Daily Mail Japan threatens China over disputed islands landings -- France24/AFP Japan Pledges Strong Response To Chinese Landings On Disputed Islands -- RTT Japan vows force if Chinese land on disputed islands -- Global Post/AFP Japan Vows 'Force' If China Lands On Disputed Islands -- Radio Free Europe Chinese and Japanese ships cluster around disputed islands -- CNN Japan-China tension over East China Sea islands reignites -- Euronews China Sends Surveillance Ships Near Disputed Islands -- Voice of America Chinese vessels drive out Japanese boats from disputed islands -- Economic Times Abe Vows to Protect Isles as Shrine Visits Hurt Japan-China Ties -- Bloomberg Businessweek Japan shrine visits, isles dispute stir East Asia tensions -- Reuters Japan summons China envoy over disputed isles -- Al Jazeera My Comment: Japan has just given the Chinese a signal on what is their "red line" for a military confrontation.