Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu. (Photo: asia.nikkei.com)

During a telephone call on Monday, Motegi also voiced his concerns over China’s new law that empowers coast guard vessels to fire on foreign flagged ships within maritime jurisdiction determined by China.

At the annual meeting under the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism between the two defense authorities in late March, a representative from Japan Defense Ministry raised his concerns over the Chinese law as well as China increasing activities that escalate tensions in the waters.

Many countries in the world have opposed China’s recent deployment of over 200 ships around Sinh Ton island cluster in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and requested the country to immediately bring their vessels out of the area and end all provocations.