The disputed East China Sea islands known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Kono expressed strong concern over China's latest actions at a recent bilateral meeting with Chinese ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou that at the Japanese defense ministry.

Last month, Japan accused Chinese ships of repeated intrusions into its territorial waters surrounding the islands.

In July, Japan and China agreed to hold bilateral maritime security negotiations at an appropriate time once the COVID-19 epidemic eases, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said. The agreement was reached at an online meeting in which both sides confirmed the importance of maintaining communication on the East China Sea situation.