China, Japan trade conflicting accounts of confrontation around Senkaku islands

Tension flared near the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands as China and Japan issued conflicting accounts of a coast guard confrontation.
China says it expelled a Japanese fishing vessel; Japan says it intercepted and expelled Chinese coast guard ships approaching a Japanese fishing boat.
The islands remain a recurring flashpoint, with patrols, mutual accusations and claims of violating international law.