Japan to patrol disputed islands if China sails too close - Yomiuri

A group of disputed islands, Uotsuri island (top), Minamikojima (bottom) and Kitakojima, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China is seen in the East China Sea, in this photo taken by Kyodo September 2012. REUTERS/Kyodo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will respond to any intrusion by Chinese naval vessels into the waters around the disputed Senkaku islands, known in China as the Diaoyus, by ordering its Self-Defence Force ships to patrol the area, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The SDF ships will be dispatched to urge Chinese naval vessels to leave if they come within about 22 kilometres (13.7 miles) of the Senkaku, the newspaper said. Japan informed China of its intentions after Chinese ships sailed around the islands last November, it added.