Japan protests at Chinese ships' activity near disputed islets

The Japanese government lodged a protest with China Tuesday after Chinese ships were spotted near a group of disputed islets in the East China Sea.

Eight vessels entered what Japan calls its territorial waters around the islets earlier Tuesday, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing the Coast Guard.

Japan's patrol ships urged the Chinese ships to leave the area. The incursion was the largest since the government purchased the islets from a private Japanese owner in September.