China has begun to claim much of the area surrounding the nation. Since the beginning of May, Vietnam and China have been at odds over an oil rig located within Vietnam's Exclusive Economic Zone. However, this is not the only country with tense relations with China. Japan has been criticizing China's aggressive stance since the end of last year.

China has laid claim to a small group of uninhabited islands traditionally claimed by Japan. Known to the Japanese as the Senkaku Islands, the Chinese have laid a claim to it, thus expanding its security zone. Both countries have stalked each other on the sea and sky, cautiously keeping an eye for each other's actions; however, Japan has begun to prepare further.

Despite the constitutional restriction on Japan's military, on Thursday a combined military action by the Japanese naval, land and air forces simulated the retaking of the islands, according to Reuters. The action happened at another set of small islands, 370 miles northeast of the disputed isles.

"Our amphibious warfare skills still have a way to go and our training is in its early days," said Gen. Shigeru Iwasaki, chief of the military's Joint Staff, Japan's top uniformed officer.

"But these capabilities are absolutely vital to protecting our land, sea and skies," he told reporters gathered on Eniyabanarejima, part of an island chain between the southern main island of Kyushu and Okinawa, reports Reuters. "We intend to build on this drill today to boost our skills in the future."

China did not respond well to the practice naval invasion and chastised its neighbor. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed his country's displeasure and also called on Japan to maintain the regions peace and stability. This, however, flies in the face of China's blatant bellicose nature, especially symbolized in its constant flights near the islands.

Seen as part of their national territory by both countries, each has been sending routine flights near the islands to establish their authority. Yet, these actions have only increased tensions.

A pair of Chinese Sukhoi Su-27 fighters jets accosted a flight of Japanese YS-11 reconnaissance planes as they were doing a routine flight over the islands on Saturday, the New York Times reports. The Chinese jets flew only 100 feet away from the Japanese planes.

The act has heightened animosity between the two nations and prompted reprimands by the Japanese government. According to the Times, Japanese Defense Minister Itsuroni Onodera has called the Chinese actions a dangerous act.

"We received a report from the crews that the fighter planes were armed with missiles," Mr. Onodera said, referring to the Japanese aircrews. "The crews were on edge as they responded."

China admitted to the act; however it argued that it was merely defending its sovereign air space from intrusion. According to the Times, Japan is the only Asian country with the military capabilities to match China, which is why American analysts and observers are wary of further entanglements between the two nations and warn against full out conflict.