Satoshi Morimoto, who stepped down as Japanese defence minister in December, predicted a further series of provocations from China, claiming Beijing had drawn up plans to land a helicopter-borne force on the island and other measures. "It is conceivable that it may even try to ram Japan Coast Guard cutters and arrest Japanese crew members," he said. "I am worried that China will keep prodding Japan in the hopes of getting a rise from the Abe administration."