New U.S. defence secretary reaffirms U.S. commitment to defending Senkaku islands

TOKYO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - New U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday, during his first phone call with his Japanese counterpart, reaffirmed America's commitment to defending the disputed East China Sea islets known as the Senkaku in Japan, Jiji news agency reported.

Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi confirmed that Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, which stipulates U.S. defence obligations to Japan, covers the Senkaku Islands, Jiji said. The islets are known as the Diaoyu in China.

The defence ministers also reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral act that would undermine Japan's right to administer the islands, Jiji said.

Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese activity in the East China Sea, including incursions into waters around the disputed islands.

The talks marked the first ministerial talks between Tokyo and Washington since U.S. President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday. Retired Army general Austin made history on Friday by becoming America's first Black defence secretary.

Japan's defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said on Sunday a U.S. Navy strike group entered the South China Sea on Saturday, the same day Taiwan reported a large incursion of Chinese bombers and fighter jets into its air defence identification zone near the Pratas Islands.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Tom Hogue)