In a significant escalation of tensions between Japan and China, a Chinese military plane violated Japanese territorial airspace for the first time on Monday, prompting a swift response from Tokyo. According to the Japanese government, a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane intruded into the country’s airspace over the Danjo islands, west of Kyushu, for approximately two minutes.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the incident as “utterly unacceptable” and a “serious violation of Japan’s sovereignty” that “threatens our security.” He noted that China’s military activities near Japan have increased in recent years, sparking concerns about regional stability.
In response to the incursion, Japan scrambled its fighter jets, although no confrontations with Chinese planes were reported. The Japanese foreign ministry summoned China’s top diplomat in Tokyo to protest the incident, marking a diplomatic rebuke of Beijing’s actions.
This incident underscores the growing tensions between China and Japan, particularly regarding the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. China’s expanding military presence in East Asia has also raised concerns among US regional allies, including Japan.
The incident has sparked fears of potential conflict in the region, with analysts warning that Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ambitions, including the possible seizure of Taiwan, could lead to a wider conflict involving the US and its allies.
