By Sama Marwan,
Japan lodged a protest with China today, Wednesday, through diplomatic channels after four Chinese Coast Guard vessels were spotted entering Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, calling the incident “unacceptable.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the recent incursion is a “violation of international law” and vowed to respond firmly to such Chinese actions in order to defend Japan’s territorial waters and airspace, according to the Kyodo News Agency.
The Senkaku Islands—administered by Japan but claimed by China—remain a major point of tension between the two Asian neighbors.
Details of the Incident
Hayashi reported that the four Chinese Coast Guard vessels began entering the waters surrounding the uninhabited islands at approximately 10 AM and departed around noon.
This marks the second time this year that Chinese vessels have intruded into Japan’s territorial waters near the islands.
The incursion also came shortly after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed last week that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty—which commits the United States to assisting Japan’s defense—covers the Senkaku Islands, according to Kyodo News.
Japan’s Response
Hayashi strongly condemned the incident, stating:
“It is truly regrettable and unacceptable that Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands. We will do our utmost to carry out warning and surveillance activities and will respond to China in a calm yet firm manner.”
