Tokyo, May 27 -- Japan has accused China of conducting maritime scientific research without prior notification within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surrounding its southernmost atoll in the Pacific Ocean, The Japan Times reported on Tuesday.

The alleged activity occurred on Monday near Okinotori, an isolated atoll in the Philippine Sea located roughly midway between Taiwan and Guam. China has previously stated that it does not recognise Okinotori as an island.

According to The Japan Times, Japan's coastguard detected a Chinese maritime survey ship "extending what seemed to be a wire into the waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), 270 kilometres east of Okinotori island," government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said....