China ships in disputed waters: Japan Coast Guard

TOKYO (AFP) - Three Chinese government ships entered disputed waters Friday, the Japanese coastguard said, as the two countries' soured relationship grew more complex following North Korea's nuclear test.

Maritime surveillance vessels sailed near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing claims as the Diaoyus, around 0030 GMT (8.30am Singapore time), according to the Coast Guard.

"Japan cannot accept this. This is extremely regrettable," Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told a regular briefing on Friday, adding that his ministry has already conveyed these sentiments to the Chinese embassy.

The relationship between the Asian giants has cooled over the territorial row, which triggered anti-Japan rallies across China last year.