Vol.6, September 28, 2024
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.
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Statistical Data and Analysis
(as of September 24)
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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.
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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".
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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.
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[Statistical Data
as of September 24]
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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/mission/senkaku/senkaku.html)
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Sept.
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Contiguous zone
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Territorial sea
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Sept.
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Contiguous zone
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Territorial sea
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1
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8
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13
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4
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2
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4
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14
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4
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3
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4
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15
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2
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4
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4
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16
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4
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5
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4
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17
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3
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6
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4
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4
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18
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4
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7
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4
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19
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2
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8
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4
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20
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4
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9
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4
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21
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3
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10
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4
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22
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3
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11
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4
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23
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4
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12
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4
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24
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4
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Top News
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Date
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Topics
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9/2
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9/2
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JMSDF confirmed two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, one Luyang II frigate (hull number 152) and one Fuchi class
replenishment oiler (hull number 890) in the waters 130km northeast of Miyako Islands on September 1. They crossed Miyako Strait and then navigated to the Pacific Ocean.
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Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240902_03.pdf
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9/5
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Japanese, Australian foreign and defense ministers met in Australia on September 5. Ministers agreed to strengthen security cooperation in response to China’s increasing military
assertiveness.
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9/9
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JMSDF confirmed four PLAN vessels in the Tsushima Strait on September 7. JMSDF observed one Dongdiao class AGI
(hull number 794) navigated in the waters 13km southwest of Tsushima Islands at 2 p.m. JMSDF also confirmed three PLN vessels
(one Renhai class destroyer[hull number 104],
one Fuchi class replenishment oilers
[hull number 889], and Luyang
III
class destroyer [hull number 547])
sailing northeast of Tsushima. JMSDF observed these vessels again in the Sea of Japan from September 7 and 8.
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Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240909_01.pdf
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9/10
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Japan Ministry of Defense announced that Chinese naval vessels entered the Sea of Japan. Regard to the activities of Chinese vessels, Chaina’s defense ministry announced that
the Russia and China would conduct joint military exercise in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk in near future.
NHK world
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240910_01/index.html
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9/11
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Monthly Statistics on Scrambles（August）
Japan Joint Staff released its monthly statistics on scrambles. In Augut, Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) conducted 55 scrambles, and the most scrambles are against Chinese
aircraft (55 times; the rest were Russian aircraft). The number of scrambles decreased compared to July (85 times)
Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240911_01.pdf
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9/12
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9/13
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9/18
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JMSDF confirmed three PLA Navy vessels, one Renhai-class destroyer (hull number 103), one Luyang-class destroyer (hull number 118) and Fuyu-class fast combat support ship (hull
number 901), in the waters about 80 km northwest of Uotsuri Island (the Senkakus) on September 18. These vessels then crossed the strait between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island.
Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240918_02.pdf
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9/18
9/20
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JMSDF confirmed three PLA Navy vessels, one Admiral Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier (hull number 16) and two Luyang-class destroyer (hull number 120, 123) in the waters 210
km northwest of Uotsuri Island. These vessels then crossed the strait between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island.
These vessels also conducted take-off and landing of aircraft in the waters 1360 km southeast of Miyako Island from September 17-18.
Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240918_01.pdf
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240920_04.pdf
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9/23
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JMSDF confirmed three PLA and Russian Navy vessels sailing northeast in the waters 300km west of Rishiri Island on September 22. This squadron consisted of 8 vessels: one Renhai-class
destroyer (PLAN: hull number 104), Luyang III-class destroyer (PLAN: hull number 117), Jangkai II-class frigate (PLAN: hull number 547), Fuchi-class AOR (hull number 889), two Udaloy-class destroyer (Russia: 548 and 564) and two Grisha-class frigates (Russia:
hull number 332 and 375). JMSDF also confirmed one PLA Navy vessel, Dongdiao-class surveillance ship, in the waters 60 km northwest of Rebun Island on September 22.
Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240923_01.pdf
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9/23
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9/24
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JMSDF confirmed one Russian surveillance ship (Vishnya-class) in the waters 70 km northeast of Cape Soya on September 22.
Japan Joint Staff
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2024/p20240924_03.pdf
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