Japan accuses China of having committed airspace injury for the first time

Japan accuses China of having committed airspace injury for the first time

Japan explained on Monday that a Chinese military intelligence aircraft has penetrated the airspace over remote islands in the East China Sea. This is the first time that Tokyo accuses the Luftwaffe People's Liberation Army due to an injury to airspace. This situation represents a new point of view in the tense relationships between china and japan dar.

Details of the incident

A map published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense shows that the Chinese aircraft, a Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft, flew in a rectangular course pattern on the eastern side of the Danjo Islands. It briefly approached the West and exceeded the airspace of the islands for about two minutes, which extends 12 nautical miles from the coast.

reaction of the Japanese authorities

The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that combat aircraft of the air -self -defense forces were on alert in order to react to the alleged intruder. However, no incident was reported to the Chinese aircraft. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Shi Yong, called in to "protest extremely sharply and strictly prevent such incidents".

frequent confrontations with Chinese aircraft

Japanese military have repeatedly started fighter planes for missions against Chinese military aircraft, but had not previously entered the Japanese airspace. In the last fiscal year alone, which ended in April, this happened 479 times - which corresponds more than once a day. However, the current incident represents an escalation of the tensions, since it is a direct attack in the sovereign airspace.

official statement by Japan

yoshimas Hayashi, the Japanese cabinet secretary, commented at a press conference on Tuesday: “In recent years, China's military activities have increased near our country and are becoming increasingly active. The slump into our airspace by Chinese military aircraft is not only a serious violation of our sovereignty, but also a threat to our security unacceptable. “

The uninhabited Danjo Islands

The uninhabited Danjo Islands, a national monument of Japan and an area to protect the animal world, are located in the East China Sea, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southwest of Nagasaki on the main island of Kyushu. So far, this was the first incident in which a military aircraft of the People's Liberation Army was observed when crossing the Japanese airspace.

historical tensions in the East China Sea

Before that there were two similar incidents in the Senkaku Islands controlled by Japan, which China refers to as a diaoyus and claimed it for its territory. In 2012, a Chinese surveillance plane entered the airspace around the lowering, followed by a drone use from a ship of the Chinese coastal station in 2017.

follow and geopolitical implications

The incident is important because it is happening during an already tense relationship between Japan and China, especially with regard to the controversial sinkaku islands. After buying some of these islands by Tokyo by a private Japanese owner in 2012, which Beijing saw as a direct challenger of his sovereign claims, the tensions escalated considerably. Chinese coastal guards and other state ships were often sent to underpin their demands in the region, including a record stay of 158 days this year.

Analysts warn that any Japan China incidents in the lowering can increase the risk of a larger conflict, especially in view of the mutual defense agreement of Japan with the United States. Washington has made it clear several times that it regarded the lowering as part of the defense pact.