Japan reported on Monday that a Chinese military plane breached its territorial airspace for the first time. The incident involved a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Danjo islands, located west of Kyushu, for approximately two minutes. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the intrusion as 'utterly unacceptable,' emphasizing that it not only violated Japan's sovereignty but also posed a threat to its security.
Hayashi highlighted the escalating military activities of China near Japan in recent years, characterizing them as increasingly expansive and active. In response to the breach, Japan scrambled its jets, although there were no reported clashes with Chinese aircraft. The Japanese government summoned China's top diplomat in Tokyo to formally protest the violation.
China's growing assertiveness in East Asia has led to heightened tensions with regional allies of the United States, including Japan. Incidents of Chinese military activity near Japanese airspace prompted Japan to scramble jets 392 times last year, as per the US Naval Institute. The recent airspace violation is considered unprecedented.
The dispute over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Islands in China) remains a key issue fueling tensions. While Japan administers the islands, China claims sovereignty over them. Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered Japanese waters near the islands on multiple occasions, with Japan responding by bolstering its military presence in the region.
China's territorial disputes extend beyond Japan, involving clashes with the Philippines in the South China Sea and with India over Himalayan territory. Additionally, China asserts ownership of Taiwan, an independently governed island. Analysts suggest that Chinese leader Xi Jinping aims to seize control of Taiwan, a move that could provoke conflict with the US and its allies, who have provided ambiguous assurances regarding defense against potential attacks on the island.
