The ongoing territorial dispute between China and Japan has taken a new twist, as about 20 ships filled with at least 100 Japanese activists and lawmakers arrived at the contested islands.

The group named "Ganbare Nippon", which means "Stand Firm, Japan" arrived at Senkaku Islands to support Japan's territorial claims to the island.

This latest incident comes just days after Tokyo had arrested and deported Chinese activists who landed on the islands illegally and raised a Chinese flag.

Asia's two biggest economies have been feuding for decades over the island chain, which are located near potentially huge maritime gas fields and are surrounded by rich fishing grounds.

The ongoing dispute is fueled by China's bitter memories of Tokyo's past military occupation and Tokyo's concerns about Beijing's growing clout.