There is increasing hostility between China and Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea. What does the maritime dispute means for President Barack Obama's second term Asian agenda?

Most recently in the ongoing dispute, Japan has charged that its vessels and aircraft in the area have been targeted by Chinese weapons-guiding radar.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the incident dangerous, indicating it could lead to a miscalculation and an armed flare-up if China were to do it again.

"At a time when it seemed there are a signs of improvement towards increasing talks between Japan and China, having this sort of one-sided provocative action taken by the Chinese is extremely regrettable," he stated.

Beijing says Japan is stoking tensions by sending ships and planes into areas claimed by China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying.