* Officials had said earlier Japan’s coastguard is only allowed to fire weapons at foreign vessels in cases of self-defence and emergency escape
* The move comes weeks after China implemented a new law that allows its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed waters
The Japan Coast Guard could directly fire a weapon against foreign official vessels aiming to land on the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, ruling party members said on Thursday, citing government officials.
The government officials told a panel of the Liberal Democratic Party they have confirmed their interpretation of existing laws.
China implemented a new law earlier this month that allows its coastguard to use weapons against foreign ships that Beijing sees as illegally entering its waters.
Government officials had said earlier Japan’s coastguard is only allowed to fire weapons directly at foreign vessels in cases of self-defence and emergency escape.
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WNU Editor: Japanese warships firing on a Chinese vessel will escalate into a confrontation between the two countries very quickly.