TOKYO — On Wednesday, Japanese government officials expressed their vigilance regarding China’s commitment to preventing further incursions into Japan’s airspace. This scrutiny follows an incident nearly three months prior, where a Chinese military aircraft was stated to have intruded into Japanese airspace unintentionally due to turbulence.
On August 26, Japan raised concerns after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly invaded its airspace off the southern island of Kyushu. As a result, Japan dispatched its fighter jets to intercept the aircraft and issue warnings. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that China recognized the violation and assured Japan that measures would be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We acknowledge China’s explanation and will continuously monitor Chinese military operations moving forward,” Hayashi stated. According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, China clarified that the pilot’s decision to deviate from the flight path was a precautionary response to turbulence, emphasizing it was not a deliberate act. However, the specifics of this explanation, including when it was provided, were not disclosed due to diplomatic protocols.
Japanese authorities are critical of the incident, noting that even amidst turbulent conditions, such a significant flight deviation is hard to comprehend. NHK public television reported that defense officials still deem the airspace breach to be unacceptable, characterizing it as a serious infringement of Japan’s territorial integrity.
The growing presence of Chinese military activities near Japan’s southwestern waters and airspace has raised alarms, prompting Tokyo to bolster its defensive measures, especially concerning remote islands vital to Japan’s defense strategy. Additionally, Japanese officials are increasingly wary of military collaboration between China and Russia.
Furthermore, a Chinese survey vessel trespassed into Japanese territorial waters near a southern island in August, while in September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, accompanied by two destroyers, navigated between Japan’s Yonaguni island and Iriomote, entering Japan’s “contiguous zone.” This zone, situated just beyond territorial waters, allows Japan to maintain some control over maritime activities, raising concerns for national security.