In September, threats to Japan's territorial integrity from multiple actors, China and Russia, may have combined in an unprecedented way. Although the number of Chinese intrusions into Japan's territorial waters and navigation in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands remained at the same level as in previous months, Russian military aircraft violated Japan's airspace and Russian and Chinese naval vessels jointly entered the Sea of Japan on the same day.
On Sept. 23, Japan's Defense Ministry said a Russian military aircraft violated the country's airspace three times, prompting an Air Self-Defense Force fighter jet to fire a signal flare for the first time. Each intrusion lasted about 30 seconds to a minute, according to the ministry. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said, "This violation of our airspace is extremely regrettable, and today we have lodged a stern protest with the Russian government via diplomatic channels, while also strongly requesting that they prevent a recurrence".
In addition, a total of 8 Chinese and Russian naval vessels jointly sailed from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk on the same day, 22-23, passing through the Soya Strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin. It was possible that the intrusions were related to joint Russian military exercises with China in the area. The Ministry of Defense is continuing to analyze the connection with the airspace violation, as well as to maintain vigilance and surveillance.
[Statistical Data as of September 24]
Japan Coast Guard (JCG) daily updates the statistical data on the number of China Coast Guard vessels entering in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands and intruding into Japanese territorial waters. The below is from the website of JCG.
(https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/
|
Sept. |
Contiguous zone |
Territorial sea |
Sept. |
Contiguous zone |
Territorial sea |
|
1 |
8 |
|
13 |
4 |
|
|
2 |
4 |
|
14 |
4 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
|
15 |
2 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
|
16 |
4 |
|
|
5 |
4 |
|
17 |
3 |
|
|
6 |
4 |
4 |
18 |
4 |
|
|
7 |
4 |
|
19 |
2 |
|
|
8 |
4 |
|
20 |
4 |
|
|
9 |
4 |
|
21 |
3 |
|
|
10 |
4 |
|
22 |
3 |
|
|
11 |
4 |
|
23 |
4 |
|
|
12 |
4 |
|
24 |
4 |
|
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What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, “East Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)” and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan's territory.