Number of Chinese ships in waters off Senkakus surged since enactment of coast guard law

The Senkaku islands of Minamikojima, left, Kitakojima, center, and Uotsuri in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

In the 12 months since the enactment of Chinese legislation that allows China Coast Guard vessels to use weapons, CCG ships have been spotted regularly in waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

With Beijing also thought to be upgrading CCG's armed capabilities by converting navy vessels into CCG ships, the Japan Coast Guard is stepping up surveillance and increasing its vigilance.