TOKYO: Japan scrambled fighter jets on Monday in response to a reported airspace violation by a Chinese military aircraft, further escalating regional tensions. The two-minute incursion into Japanese airspace over the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture by the Y-9 surveillance aircraft at 11:29 am (0229 GMT) was the first by a Chinese military plane, Japan’s defence ministry said.
The incursion is the first reported violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military plane. In response, Japan deployed fighter jets on an emergency basis and issued warnings to the aircraft, though no physical measures such as flare guns were employed, as reported by NHK, a Japanese broadcaster.
Japan’s defence ministry released a photograph of the Chinese aircraft involved in the incident. Deputy Foreign Minister Masataka Okano immediately summoned China’s acting ambassador and lodged a formal protest, demanding that Beijing take measures to prevent future incidents.
The incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, where China’s growing economic and military influence has caused concern among the United States and its allies.
Japan has significantly increased its defence spending, acquiring new “counter-strike” capabilities and easing restrictions on arms exports. Tokyo has also expanded its military cooperation with other countries in the region, including a recent agreement with the Philippines that allows for the deployment of troops on each other’s soil.
Meanwhile, China announced that it had taken “control measures” against two Philippine Coast Guard ships near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
Multiple confrontations have taken place in recent days around the shoal, located 140 kilometres (90 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometres from Hainan island.
Both sides have in recent months stationed coast guard vessels near Sabina, where the Philippines fears China is about to build an artificial island.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is due to visit Beijing for three days from Tuesday and will meet China’s foreign minister Wang Yi in a bid to manage bilateral tensions ahead of US elections in November.
