26-8-2024 (TOKYO) Japanese fighter jets were scrambled on Monday to intercept a Chinese military aircraft that briefly entered Japanese territorial airspace. This incident, reported to be the first of its kind, has prompted a swift diplomatic response from Tokyo.
The Japanese Defence Ministry reported that a Chinese Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft breached Japanese airspace for approximately two minutes, beginning at 11:29 am local time. The incursion occurred near the Danjo islands, situated off the coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island.
Following the incident, Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned China’s acting ambassador to lodge a formal protest and demand measures to prevent future occurrences. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the fact that this is reportedly the first confirmed intrusion into Japanese airspace by a Chinese military aircraft, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
A flight path released by the Defence Ministry revealed that the Chinese aircraft had circled the vicinity of the Danjo islands before entering Japanese airspace, subsequently returning towards mainland China. This manoeuvre has raised questions about the intent behind the incursion and its potential implications for regional security.
The incident comes at a time of heightened military tension between the two East Asian powers. Japanese media recently reported that a Japanese destroyer had entered Chinese territorial waters last month, despite warnings from Chinese vessels. This reciprocal nature of territorial disputes highlights the delicate balance of power in the region.
At the heart of many Japan-China military confrontations lie the Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by China. The area frequently sees Chinese coast guard vessels patrolling nearby, maintaining a persistent source of tension between the two nations.
