why youri eto, nhk world. >>> japan's top officials are responding to china's latest naval activities in and around japans territorial waters. they say the government will continue its maritime patrols. a chinese reconnaissance vessel entered waters near islands off japan's southern coast wednesday. the ship also sailed just outside japanese waters off okinawa prefecture the next day. the chinese defense ministry issued a statement friday saying it is acting in accordance with international law. the ministry said china really cannot understand why japan has repeatedly hyped up the legitimate activities of chinese warships. japan's top government spokesperson refuted china's assertion. >> translator: we are concerned about the recent unilateral escalation by the chinese ministry in waters around japan. we lodged this concern with beijing. this is an appropriate action by our government. >> suga stressed that china's claim cannot be accepted. the japanese government says it will continue to be vigilant as china's navy has been increasingly active around japan's territorial waters. >>> t