Japan's conservative political group has held a "fishing competition" near the disputed Diaoyu Island on Sunday to show the country's so-called sovereignty over the island.

A disputed competition on disputed water.

Contestants of the fishing competition include 6 congressmen and about 30 political activists and political group members. Participants set out from Ishigaki Island at midnight on Saturday and arrived at the water around Diaoyu Island the next morning.

The fishing competition was guarded by several patrol vessels sent by Japan's Maritime Safety Agency.

Meanwhile, Senators from the Democratic Party of Japan made what they called an inspection of the Islands on the same day.

These moves are believed to be a preparation for the hearing on Monday following the governor of Tokyo's announcement that the city will buy a group of islands in the chain.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has reiterated many times that Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, and any action that infringes upon China’s sovereignty will be strongly opposed.

Voices of opposition are also coming from inside Japan.

Japan's ambassador to China, Uichiro Niwa, has strongly criticized Tokyo's Governor Shintaro Ishihara's plan to buy the disputed island in an interview published by a British newspaper. He says the purchase of Diaoyu Island could result in "an extremely grave crisis" in economic and other bilateral relations.

Moreover, many Tokyo citizens are questioning the government's decision to waste money on the drama instead of using it on earthquake reconstruction.