Japan says four Chinese ships in disputed waters

TOKYO (AFP) - Four Chinese government ships were sailing in the territorial waters of disputed Tokyo-controlled islands on Tuesday, the coastguard said, the day after Japan's premier promised to beef up security.

The maritime surveillance ships entered the 12-nautical-mile zone of territorial waters around one of the East China Sea islands at around 0200 GMT, the coastguard said.

Separately, two fisheries patrol ships were spotted in the so-called contiguous waters, which extend a further 12 nautical miles, of another island in the chain, coastguards said.

The latest move came after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Monday Tokyo would "strengthen security" around its coast.