Japan experiences intrusion: Unidentified Chinese aircraft violate its airspace
There's been some escalation in the tension between Japan and China, primarily due to territorial disputes. Recently, Japan announced an incursion of a Chinese military plane into its airspace, marking the first time such an incident has occurred.
As per Japanese reports, a Chinese spy plane, presumably of the Y-9 type, breached Japan's airspace over the isolated Danjo Islands in Nagasaki's southern prefecture at 11:29 local time (06:29 CEST). The plane stayed in Japanese airspace for approximately two and a half minutes before departure. In response, Japanese fighter jets were dispatched, according to the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense also revealed that the Chinese aircraft was given a warning. According to NHK broadcast, no weapons were discharged. The Ministry released a picture claimed to be that of the intruding aircraft.
Later in the day, Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister, Masataka Okano, met with the Chinese ambassador and lodged a strong complaint regarding the incident, requesting measures to prevent such incidents from happening again. Japan has also decided to directly contact the Chinese government for this matter. The Chinese government has yet to comment on the incident.
China and Japan, being the world's second and third largest economies, have substantial trade ties and maintain diplomatic relations for over half a century. However, tensions are running high, mainly due to territorial disputes. There have been numerous confrontations between Japanese and Chinese naval vessels, particularly around the Senkaku Islands near Taiwan, which China insists upon labeling as the Diaoyu Islands.
The Danjo Islands, where the recent incident occurred, are situated east of the Chinese coast, near the Japanese prefecture of Nagasaki.
Japan, due to its tensions with China, has moved away from its long-standing pacifist policy and has been investing more in its military capabilities, in collaboration with its ally, the United States. In July, Japan concluded an agreement with the Philippines that permits troop deployment on each other's territories.
The Philippines, too, has territorial disputes with China, with Beijing asserting claim over almost the whole South China Sea, leading to frequent clashes with Manila.
The Danjo Islands, being close to the Japanese prefecture of Nagasaki, are also a point of contention between Japan and China, referred to as the Diaoyu Islands by China.In light of the escalating tensions, Japan is strengthening its military ties with its ally, China's neighbor and global powerhouse, the United States.
