Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Japan claimed China ceded sovereignty of the disputed islands after the 1895 Sino-Japanese War. It also said the islands were administered by the U.S. during World War II -- this has been corrected to after World War II. We apologize for the errors.
Hong Kong (CNN) -- Several Japanese Coast Guard ships fired water cannon and shouted warnings at a boat carrying Taiwanese activists who were attempting to land on islands disputed by Taiwan, Japan and China, a spokesman said.
Through loud speakers, the Japanese Coast guard urged the activists and four Taiwanese Coast Guard vessels accompanying them, to retreat from waters around the islands, which are known as the Senkakus in Japan, and Diaoyu in China.
The deterrent worked and the Taiwanese ships left the area, the Japanese Coast Guard said.
According to state news agencies in Taiwan and China, the confrontation occurred about 28 nautical miles from the islands in the East China Sea.
