Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the country was opposed to any behavior that would increase tensions in the South China Sea.

The statement, made by Japan's Chief Cabinet Office at a press conference today in Tokyo, when asked to comment on China's launch of two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the South China Sea on August 26, adding that Japan

"Issues in the South China Sea are directly related to the peace and stability of the region, which are legitimate interests of the international community, including our country," said Suga.

The statement was made by Mr. Suga a day after a source close to the Chinese army said it launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Qinghai and Zhejiang to the South China Sea on August 26 morning to warn the United States.

The move comes after China on August 25 said that US U-2 reconnaissance aircraft had "provocative" action when moving into "no-fly zone, where a live-fire drill was taking place.

The Chinese military has recently held many drills and exercises in the waters around the country.

Vietnam has repeatedly condemned China's illegal activities in the South China Sea.

"The success of China conducting exercises in the Paracel archipelago violated Vietnam's sovereignty over this archipelago, complicating the situation, contrary to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of the parties.