Tokyo says Chinese plane incursion is a “serious violation” of Japanese sovereignty – Observer

The incursion of a Chinese military plane constitutes a “serious violation of Japanese sovereignty”, the Japanese government spokesman said on Tuesday, a day after the incident near the Danjo Islands, in Nagasaki Prefecture.

“The violation of our airspace by a Chinese military aircraft is not only a serious violation of our sovereignty, but also a threat to our security and is completely unacceptable.”Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, a Chinese military “Y-9 type reconnaissance spy plane” entered Japanese airspace at 11:29 a.m. (03:29 a.m. Lisbon time) on Monday for about two minutes.

“We understand this is the first confirmed and announced incursion of a Chinese military aircraft into our airspace since we implemented countermeasures.” against these incursions, Hayashi declared during a press conference.

“We refrain from giving a specific answer as to the purpose of the Chinese aircraft’s action. However, China’s recent military activities near Japan tend to expand and become increasingly active,” he added.

“The government will continue to closely monitor China’s military activities and will take all possible measures to ensure active surveillance.”the spokesman said.

Japan scrambled fighter jets and issued warnings after the Chinese military plane’s incursion, but according to public broadcaster NHK, no weapons such as flares were fired.

Japan’s Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano summoned China’s acting ambassador to the country on Monday, to whom he lodged a “strong protest” and requested measures to prevent a repeat of such incidents, according to a statement from Tokyo’s foreign ministry.

The Chinese diplomat said the matter would be reported to Beijing, the ministry said. Chinese authorities did not comment on the situation.

China’s growing economic and military influence in the Asia-Pacific region and its claims, particularly in relation to Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, have been a cause for concern for the United States and its allies.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice that found its claim to be without legal basis.

Japan has increased defense spending, acquiring counterattack capabilities and easing rules on arms exports, as well as providing funding and equipment such as patrol vessels to countries in the region, and in July concluded a deal with the Philippines.

Along with the United States, Australia and India, Tokyo is part of the Quad alliance, considered a counterweight to Beijing.