Japan rejects China's intrusion protest in Pacific

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on Friday denied disrupting recent Chinese naval exercises in the west Pacific Ocean, rejecting China's protest made on the previous day. "The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has conducted regular patrol and surveillance activities in accordance with international law. We didn't interfere with China's exercises, and their objections are unacceptable," Onodera told a press conference. On Thursday, the Chinese Defense Ministry said the MSDF ship entered its navy's live-fire drill zone in waters southeast of the Sakishima Islands, south of the disputed islands known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. The drills were conducted by the Chinese navy from October 24 through November 1. China lodged a protest against Japan through a diplomatic channel, saying the intrusion was provocative and dangerous. "It's important to set up a defense hotline between Japan and China to avoid troubles at sea," Onodera said. Tensions between the Asian neighbors have increased since Tokyo's nationalization of three of the five major Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands in September 2012 through purchase from a private Japanese owner.