Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi has asked China to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents following the landing of seven Chinese activists on one of the disputed Senkaku Islands last week, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
Kawaguchi made the demand Friday evening in telephone talks, which were "strongly requested by the Chinese side," with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, according to the ministry.
While Kawaguchi explained Japan's decision to deport the activists by saying the action was based on Japanese law, Li reiterated China's position that the islands belong to China, ministry officials said.
The Senkakus, located about 400 km west of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, are claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan. They are called Diaoyu by China and Tiaoyutai by Taiwan.
Kawaguchi also lodged a protest against the burning of Japanese national flags on the street in front of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing by dozens of protesters earlier in the week and asked Li to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, the officials said.
The two ministers also exchanged views about issues related to North Korea following Li's visit there last week.