Additional Coverage:
Japan dispatched fighter jets on Monday after a Chinese military aircraft entered its airspace, escalating regional tensions. This incident follows recent intercepts of Russian and Chinese bombers by U.S. military near Alaska’s coast. The Y-9 surveillance aircraft’s intrusion into Japanese airspace near Nagasaki’s Danjo Islands at 11:29 a.m. marked the first such incident with a Chinese military plane, as reported by local media.
Responding swiftly, Japan’s defense ministry deployed fighter jets and issued warnings to the aircraft. According to broadcaster NHK, Japan refrained from deploying flare guns or other weapons. The ministry also shared a photo of the plane involved.
Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Masataka Okano, met with China’s acting ambassador to strongly protest and demand preventive measures against future occurrences. The Chinese diplomat assured that the issue would be communicated to Beijing, though there was no immediate response from the Chinese government.
Japan’s military has had to scramble jets almost 669 times from April 2023 to March 2024, primarily in response to Chinese military aircraft, which did not include this airspace violation.
Additionally, NORAD reported last month that a combination of Russian Tu-95s and Chinese H-6s entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, leading to their interception by U.S. and Canadian fighter jets including F-16s, F-35s, and CF-18s.
Amid concerns over growing Chinese-Russian military cooperation and increased Chinese activity near its waters and airspace, Japan has strengthened its defense, particularly around its southwestern islands critical to its regional strategy.
As China continues to extend its influence in the Asia-Pacific through its economic and military might, tensions have risen, prompting the U.S. and its allies to keep a close watch. Japan has escalated its defense efforts, backing from U.S. suggestions, by enhancing its military capabilities and relaxing arm export regulations.
In a recent development, President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed to deepening military and intelligence cooperation. Japan is also extending support to regional countries by providing patrol vessels and has agreed to a troop deployment arrangement with the Philippines.
Additionally, Japan and South Korea seek to resolve historical disputes, and Japan remains active in the Quad alliance with the U.S., Australia, and India, aimed at countering Beijing’s influence.
Professor Yee Kuang Heng from the University of Tokyo suggests the Y-9 was likely testing Japan’s air defenses and gathering electronic intelligence.
Recent incidents also saw Japanese and Chinese ships clashing near the disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which China calls the Diaoyus. The presence of Chinese coastguard and naval vessels, including a nuclear-powered submarine near these islands, has also been reported. Beijing, claiming nearly all of the South China Sea, took action against Philippine Coast Guard ships near Sabina Shoal, intensifying disputes in the area.
Amid these escalating tensions, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan plans to visit Beijing to meet with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, aiming to mitigate bilateral strains before the upcoming U.S. elections in November.