TOKYO -- Japan was waiting Sunday for China to respond to claims that a nuclear-powered Chinese submarine entered Japanese waters.
Japan's Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said Sunday he believes the Chinese submarine accused by Tokyo of intruding into Japanese waters last week is linked to China's gas exploration on a remote island area claimed by both countries, the Voice of America reported.
The minister also said in a TV interview that he believes Chinese submarines have been moving through Japanese waters for some time.
Japan formally demanded an apology Friday from China. It claims a Han-class nuclear submarine spent two hours in Japanese waters Wednesday. Japan mobilized its maritime forces and chased the sub with destroyers and a patrol plane as it zigzagged submerged toward Chinese waters.
However, China has not yet acknowledged the submarine. Officials have said the country has been investigating the claim.
