A Chinese military reconnaissance aircraft breached Japanese airspace on Monday, marking the first such incident in recent history. The Chinese Y-9 electronic intelligence plane entered Japanese airspace over the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea, located to the west of Kyushu, Japan's southern island. The incursion lasted approximately two minutes, prompting a swift response from Japanese defense forces and escalating diplomatic strains between the two nations.
Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that the Chinese aircraft, while conducting a circuit pattern flight, deviated from its course to cross into Japanese airspace before returning to its original path. This breach has been described as a notable escalation, as Japanese officials confirmed that it was the first time a Chinese military aircraft had entered Japanese airspace. The Japanese Ministry of Defense swiftly scrambled fighter jets from the Western Air District of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to intercept the aircraft.
Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Masaaki Okano promptly summoned Charge d'Affaires Shi Ying from the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo to lodge a formal protest against the airspace violation. The Japanese government has demanded that Beijing take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. In a release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Okano expressed serious concern over the breach and reiterated Japan's stance on maintaining the security of its airspace.
The incident comes amidst a backdrop of heightened military activity in the Indo-Pacific region. On the same day as the airspace breach, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began joint exercises with South Korea under Exercise Ssang Yong 24, designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability. This exercise, taking place along South Korea's east coast and around the Pohang area, involves a significant deployment of naval and air assets, including U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jets and amphibious assault ships.
In addition, the U.S. Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) commenced Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2024 in Guam. This drill aims to strengthen maritime operations and anti-submarine warfare capabilities among participating nations. Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk of Task Force 70 emphasized the importance of such exercises in enhancing multinational force interoperability and readiness for future missions.
Japan has also been closely monitoring Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near Yonaguni Island, which is situated 68 miles east of Taiwan. The Japanese Joint Staff Office reported multiple incidents of presumed Chinese UAVs entering the East China Sea from the Philippine Sea, necessitating further responses from JASDF fighter aircraft.
