Japan told China on Wednesday its ships must stop violating Japanese territory in the East China Sea after a long-standing maritime row intensified this month.
The admonition came in a meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The two countries are locked in a dispute over uninhabited islands controlled by Japan as the Senkakus but claimed by China as the Diaoyus.
Tensions have waxed and waned though rose this month as Japan grew angry over what it said were numerous incursions into waters around the islets by Chinese ships.
Tokyo has lodged more than two dozen protests through diplomatic channels since August 5, saying there have been repeated "intrusions" by Chinese coastguard vessels.
"I strongly asked him to completely quieten the situation, prevent it from occurring again and improve the overall environment in the East China Sea," Kishida told reporters after meeting Wang.
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