Islands dispute sparks confrontation at sea

A water cannon battle erupted between Japanese and Taiwanese ships in the latest confrontation over tiny islands in the East China Sea, as Japan met another rival, China, in an effort to reduce tension.

About 40 Taiwanese fishing boats and 12 patrol boats entered waters near the islands, briefly triggering an exchange of water cannon fire with Japanese coast guard ships. Japan said the Taiwanese had ignored warnings to get out of their territory, and the Taiwanese pulled back after being fired upon.