Japan scrambles fighters in response to Chinese plane

(Vatican Radio) Japan scrambled fighter jets today, after a Chinese government plane violated its airspace, apparently on purpose, close to the disputed Senkaku islands. Beijing later said there was no incursion: that the islands belong to China. The plane carried the markings of China's maritime agency, which later released photographs from the plane of the Senkaku islands beneath it.

Japan scrambled several fighter jets. The Coast Guard ordered the propeller plane to leave, but its crew replied, saying it was in Chinese airspace. Japan's chief of staff said it was a clear breach of Japanese territorial airspace, the first ever by a Chinese government plane.

And doubly significant because international law gives nations the right to use force to repel all unauthorized aircraft, whereas ships -- like the Chinese vessels currently patrolling near the Senkakus -- are able to sail there as long as it's considered innocent passage.

The dispute has already damaged economic ties, with many Chinese tourists now boycotting Japan and Japanese carmakers finding it hard to sell vehicles in China.

Elections in Japan will take place this weekend. And just a day or so after North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japan, some parties have talked, in their campaigns, about standing up to China and North Korea, and rewriting Japan's pacifist post-War constitution to enable Japan to go on the attack.

Listen to the report by correspondent Alastair Wanklyn: