TOKYO (AP) – Tensions have escalated between Japan and China as both countries accuse each other of violating airspace around the disputed East China Sea islands. These islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been a point of contention between the two nations.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry released a statement protesting against a recent incursion by a Chinese helicopter, which reportedly took off from one of four Chinese coast guard boats. This aircraft entered Japan's territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku islands, infringing on Japanese airspace for approximately 15 minutes on Saturday. In light of the incident, Japan’s Self-Defense Force was ordered to scramble fighter jets to respond to the airspace violation.
According to Japan, this pattern of territorial violations is not uncommon, as Chinese vessels and aircraft frequently traverse the waters and airspace around the Senkaku islands. The Chinese coast guard’s actions are seen as efforts to harass Japanese vessels and compel Japan to scramble jets as a defensive measure. This latest incident occurs amidst a backdrop of improving relations between Japan and China, as both nations are looking to mitigate the economic impacts stemming from the ongoing U.S. tariff war.
In a robust response, Japan lodged a "very severe protest" through the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, accusing China of infringing upon Japan’s sovereignty. The Japanese government also urged China to implement measures to prevent such incursions from happening in the future.
In a reciprocal action, China claimed to have protested to Japan regarding a violation of its airspace by a Japanese civilian aircraft operating near the disputed islands. The Chinese government expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" with Japan, accusing it of infringing upon China's sovereignty as well. Japanese officials are currently investigating whether there is a connection between the incursion by the Chinese helicopter and the presence of a small Japanese civilian aircraft in the area at the same time.
Notably, this recent airspace intrusion by China is the first since a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft violated Japanese airspace off the southern Nagasaki prefecture. Previously, Chinese aircraft had also breached Japanese airspace around the Senkaku islands on two occasions. Such incidents highlight the ongoing and complex nature of territorial disputes between Japan and China, which seem to fluctuate between periods of warming relations and heightened tensions.
Overall, the ongoing territorial disputes and airspace violations remain sensitive issues for both Japan and China, emphasizing the challenging dynamics that define their bilateral relationship in the East China Sea region.
