China, Japan engage in new invective over disputed isles

In Tokyo, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference on Friday: "We cannot accept China's explanation."

Japan's allegations, he said, had been "a result of our defence ministry's careful and detailed analysis. We urge China to take sincere measures to prevent dangerous actions which could cause a contingency situation."

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said this week that the incident could have become very dangerous very quickly, and that use of the radar could be seen as a threat of military force under U.N. rules..

Hopes have been rising in recent weeks for a thaw in ties after months of tension, sparked, in part, by Japan's nationalisation of three of the privately owned islets last September.

Fears that encounters between aircraft and ships could degenerate into an accidental clash have given impetus to efforts to improve links, including a possible summit between Abe and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who takes over as head of state in March.

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