Reuters reported that Japan is to send home 14 Chinese activists who were detained after landing on disputed islands claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.

Seven of them are expected to go back to Hong Kong on Friday night, while others will be sent back later, according to Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.

The Asia's two largest economies have been at odds since the activists were detained on Wednesday after using a boat to land on and planted the five-starred red Chinese flag on the rocky, uninhabited islands known as the Diaoyu in China and the Senkaku in Japan.

But Japan’s coastguard arrested 14 persons on the ship including eight activists from China, Hong Kong and Macau, four crew members and two journalists from Phoenix TV.

China on Wednesday demanded that Japan ensure the safety of 14 Chinese nationals and immediately and unconditionally release them.

Reuters said Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters in Tokyo the activists would be deported.

"There is still some paperwork to go through, so I can't comment on exactly what time this will happen," he was quoted as saying, adding that arrangements for sending them back were nearly finished.

Despite that, the Chinese government indicated that resentment over the territorial dispute remained.

Qin Gang, Chief spokesman of China’s Ministry of Foreign affairs, said in a statement on the ministry's website that the Chinese government was making preparations to "ensure that the Chinese individuals can return safely and smoothly and as soon as possible."