Japan has voiced serious concerns over a prolonged incursion by Chinese Coast Guard ships near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, marking one of the longest intrusions into Japan’s territorial waters. The Chinese ships, which claim the islands for Beijing, left on Monday night after remaining in the area for 92 hours and 8 minutes.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya highlighted the growing escalation of Chinese vessel activity around the Senkaku Islands, stating that the situation is “clearly escalating.” His comments came as Chinese Coast Guard ships had been operating in Japanese waters since early Friday, according to Kyodo News.

Iwaya expressed Japan’s concerns during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo on Saturday. While Iwaya described the talks as “conciliatory and friendly,” he called the timing of the Chinese intrusion during the diplomatic exchange “truly regrettable.”

Opposition lawmakers in Japan criticized the incursion, with one leader describing it as “extremely inappropriate” given the timing of the high-level talks. Iwaya responded by affirming that Japan will handle the situation “in a resolute and calm manner.”

The dispute over the Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China and Diaoyutai in Taiwan, has persisted for decades. Administered by Japan, the uninhabited islets hold strategic importance due to their proximity to shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, and potential oil reserves. The islands are also seen as a focal point in the broader geopolitical rivalry between China and the US, with Japan being a key US ally.

Japan maintains that no agreement exists with China to “shelve” the issue of the Senkaku Islands, and asserts that China’s actions, such as sending ships into the waters since 2008, have contradicted any notion of compromise on the matter.

(With IANS inputs)