Japan searches for 8 Chinese missing off disputed islands in East China Sea

Tokyo: Japan is searching for eight Chinese crew members missing after their fishing boat collided with a cargo ship off disputed islands in the East China Sea.

The Japan Coast Guard's search on Friday came one day after six other crew members were rescued. The Chinese boat apparently sank after colliding with a Greek-flagged ship on Thursday off the Japan controlled Senkaku islands, which China also claims.

The collision occurred as hundreds of Chinese fishing boats have been swarming around the islands since early August with the start of the mackerel season.

Up to 15 Chinese coast guard vessels four times the usual number were also in the area, prompting a Japanese protest.

Officials said some of the Chinese ships left following the accident.