Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the country is stepping up its efforts to strengthen its coast guard after failing to resolve its feud with China over a group of East China Sea islets.

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Japan has had long-standing disagreements with China over the disputed Islands. Although Japan remained in control of them, China insisted that it is the rightful owner of the islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyou in China.

Coast guard personnel from both countries constantly shadow each other near the uninhabited Islets, causing concern that an accidental vessel collision or other minor issues could lead to a full blown war.

"Since the fall of 2012, Chinese government vessels have sailed near the Senkaku almost daily, and have entered Japan's territorial waters around the islands a few times a month," Abe said during a meeting of ministers.

The Prime Minister added that the coast guard has to protect the country's waters and people to ensure security and peace of mind.

Japan plans to increase its coast guard budget starting next April to 210 billion yen ($18 billion), up from this fiscal year's 187.7 billion yen ($15 billion) budget. According to Abe, this will help to add five new patrol ships to its coast guard fleet and increase the maritime law enforcement unit's personnel by more than 200.

Japan transport minister Keiichi Ishii told reporters that the situation over the contested islands was "heading for a higher degree of urgency" because of China's incursions. China is also in dispute with its other Asian neighbors over the ownership of several islands on the South China Sea.

TagsChina-Japan relations, Japan, china, East China Sea, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South China Sea