China and Japan trade blame over confrontation near disputed islands

The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. - PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters): China and Japan accused each other of maritime incursions after a confrontation between their coast guards in waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea.

China's coast guard said on Sunday that a Japanese fishing boat and several patrol vessels intruded the previous day into waters around the tiny islands, called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.