Japanese media report that China is considering retaliatory measures against Japan’s decision to nationalize the disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported on speculations that the Chinese government will dispatch more patrol ships to the waters near the islands, which China refers to as Diaoyu and also claims sovereignty of. The daily said Beijing is also mulling economic sanctions on Japanese businesses.

Japan’s Kyodo News quoted a diplomatic source as saying that China is considering temporarily suspending cultural exchanges with Japan and Chinese politicians’ visits to Japan.

Tokyo decided in a Cabinet meeting Monday to nationalize the Senkaku islands, inviting strong protest from China, which called the move illegal and invalid.