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Japan says 'no dispute' exists on islands anniversary Japan says 'no dispute' exists on islands anniversary
(35 minutes later)
Japan tightened security around disputed islands and restated its ownership of the chain, a year after its nationalisation of the islands triggered a bitter row with China.Japan tightened security around disputed islands and restated its ownership of the chain, a year after its nationalisation of the islands triggered a bitter row with China.
Tensions remain high with Beijing, which sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday.Tensions remain high with Beijing, which sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday.
Japan bought the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from their private owner a year ago.Japan bought the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from their private owner a year ago.
China has described the purchase as invalid.China has described the purchase as invalid.
It says it has conducted 59 patrols near the islands since then - its vessels sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters.It says it has conducted 59 patrols near the islands since then - its vessels sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters.
On Wednesday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reiterated Japan's claim to the islands.On Wednesday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reiterated Japan's claim to the islands.
"It has been evident [the islands] are Japan's territory. We will maintain absolutely the same position that no dispute [officially] exists," he said."It has been evident [the islands] are Japan's territory. We will maintain absolutely the same position that no dispute [officially] exists," he said.
Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said surveillance had been increased in the islands' area but gave no details, the Associated Press news agency reported.Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said surveillance had been increased in the islands' area but gave no details, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Coastguard official Yuma Miyako, meanwhile, told AFP that the agency was on "high alert" for the anniversary.Coastguard official Yuma Miyako, meanwhile, told AFP that the agency was on "high alert" for the anniversary.
"We are preventing Chinese official ships from entering our territorial waters, with our ships sailing very close to the Chinese ships," the official said."We are preventing Chinese official ships from entering our territorial waters, with our ships sailing very close to the Chinese ships," the official said.
'Chinese drone''Chinese drone'
'China sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday, prompting Japan to summon Beijing's ambassador in Tokyo in protest. China sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday, prompting Japan to summon Beijing's ambassador in Tokyo in protest.
Mr Suga also said on Tuesday that Tokyo was considering stationing civil servants on the islands as an option, prompting an angry response from Beijing.Mr Suga also said on Tuesday that Tokyo was considering stationing civil servants on the islands as an option, prompting an angry response from Beijing.
"China's resolve to defend the sovereignty of the Diaoyu islands is firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said."China's resolve to defend the sovereignty of the Diaoyu islands is firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
"The Japanese side must be prepared to bear the consequences of this provocation.""The Japanese side must be prepared to bear the consequences of this provocation."
On Monday, a plane thought to be a Chinese drone was spotted in international airspace near the islands, prompting concerns from Japan.On Monday, a plane thought to be a Chinese drone was spotted in international airspace near the islands, prompting concerns from Japan.
The chain of islands lies east of the Chinese mainland and southwest of Japan's southern-most prefecture, Okinawa.The chain of islands lies east of the Chinese mainland and southwest of Japan's southern-most prefecture, Okinawa.
They are close to strategically important shipping lanes and offer rich fishing grounds.They are close to strategically important shipping lanes and offer rich fishing grounds.