Repeated surveys by Chinese research ship raise security concerns in Japan

TOKYO - A Chinese marine research vessel conducted repeated surveys in Japan's exclusive economic zone near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea from March through July, an analysis of automatic identification system data by Kyodo News showed Saturday.

The surveys could be part of China's preparation for a possible invasion of Taiwan, as Defense Ministry sources say information about the seafloor and other marine conditions would be useful for military purposes.