U.S. President Barack Obama told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he understands China has raised tensions over the Senkaku Islands during their summit talks in Washington last month, sources close to the bilateral relationship said.
In the inaugural meeting of the two leaders Feb. 22, Obama twice referred to the Japan-controlled islets as "Senkaku" rather than Diaoyu, as they are claimed by China, the sources said Saturday.
Obama also voiced his appreciation for Tokyo's calm response to Beijing's increasingly provocative actions, including repeated incursions by Chinese vessels into Japanese territorial waters around the disputed islet cluster in the East China Sea, showing understanding toward Japan's stance on the issue, the sources said.