三艘中国巡逻船进入有争议的东海岛屿附近海域后，日本向中国提出抗议。
日本内阁官方长官藤村修星期三对记者说，这些岛屿是日本的固有领土。
中国说，三名渔政巡逻船是在东海执行例行任务。中国也宣称对有关岛屿拥有主权。
日本和中国分别把这些无人居住的岛屿称做“尖阁诸岛”和“钓鱼岛”。围绕这些岛屿的争端经常引发东京和北京之间的冲突。这些岛屿所在海域有大量天然气矿藏，而且渔产丰富。
**Japan Protests Chinese Ships Near Disputed Islands**
Japan has lodged a protest with China after three Chinese patrol ships entered waters near a set of disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters Wednesday that the islands are "inherently" Japanese territory.
China, which also claims ownership, says the three vessels were fishery patrol ships conducting routine sweeps of the East China Sea.
The uninhabited islands known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyo in Chinese are a frequent flashpoint between Tokyo and Beijing. They are located in a gas-rich area and surrounded by rich fishing grounds.