Japan scrambles fighters after China plane enters disputed airspace: Media
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This handout picture taken by Japan Coast Guard on Dec 13, 2012 shows a Chinese state-owned plane flying in airspace over the disputed island, called the Senkakus in Japanese and Diaoyus in Chinese, in the East China Sea. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A Japan Coast Guard patrol ship sails around Uotsuri island, part of the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku isles in Japan, Diaoyu islands in China, in this Kyodo photo taken on Sept 12, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
This handout picture taken by Japan Coast Guard on Dec 13, 2012 shows a Chinese state-owned plane flying in airspace over the disputed island, called the Senkakus in Japanese and Diaoyus in Chinese, in the East China Sea. -- PHOTO: AFP
A Japan Coast Guard patrol ship sails around Uotsuri island, part of the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku isles in Japan, Diaoyu islands in China, in this Kyodo photo taken on Sept 12, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after one Chinese state-owned aeroplane entered airspace over islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
F-15 jets were mobilised after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured over the Senkaku islands, which China calls the Diaoyus, just after 11 am (10am Singapore time), Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters.
Japan has made an official protest to China over the incident, reported Reuters.
Chinese government ships have moved in and out of waters around the islands for more than two months, but this was the first time since the dispute flared that Tokyo has claimed any airborne incursion into what it says is Japanese territory.
