Since a law that allows the Chinese Coast Guard to use weapons took effect on Feb. 1, Japan has been on guard, especially the central government, the Defense Ministry, as well as the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
"Though there won't be an immediate change in the situation, the risk of accidental future conflicts can’t be ruled out," said a senior official at the JCG.
While government officials are alarmed, local fishermen are calling for them to calmly deal with the problem since almost no local Japanese fishing vessels travel near the Senkaku Islands.
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