Four Chinese government ships spent several hours in territorial waters around disputed Tokyo-controlled islands on Thursday, for what Japan's coastguard said was the first time in three weeks.
The move came as Tokyo and Beijing reportedly prepared for talks on a row that has derailed the relationship between Asia's two largest economies and dented their huge trade ties.
It also came hours before outspoken nationalist Shintaro Ishihara -- whose plan to buy the East China Sea islands sparked the last few months of hostilities -- resigned as Tokyo governor to start his own national party.
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