Seven of 14 Chinese activists arrested after landing on disputed islands left Japan by plane Friday and the others were being deported as well, relieving some tension from one of the territorial rows Tokyo has with its neighbors.

The protesters had traveled by boat from Hong Kong to the uninhabited East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. They were arrested Wednesday after five of them landed without authorization on one of the five-island group, known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said earlier Friday that Japan would not press further charges against the activists.

"The decision is strictly based on domestic laws, not swayed by emotions," Fujimura said, denying any political consideration.

He said some of the activists had thrown concrete blocks onto coast guard patrol boats but did not cause any injury or major damage that would subject them to criminal charges.