- Japan says Chinese spy plane violated its airspace
- A Y-9 surveillance plane was reportedly over the islands for around 2 minutes on Monday morning
- Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary condemned the breach as “utterly unacceptable”
Japan says Chinese spy plane violated its airspace
Japan has accused a Chinese spy plane of violating its airspace, marking the first known incident of such a direct breach. The Japanese military scrambled fighter jets after a Y-9 surveillance plane reportedly entered the airspace over the Danjo Islands for about two minutes on Monday morning.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary condemned the breach as “utterly unacceptable” and summoned a Chinese embassy official in Tokyo to protest. The incident has raised tensions in a region already marked by rivalry between China and the U.S., along with its allies, including Japan.
During the incursion, Japanese authorities issued warnings to the Chinese aircraft but did not use any weapons, such as flare guns, according to NHK. The Japanese government has lodged a strong protest with Beijing through diplomatic channels, demanding measures to prevent future breaches, but has not yet received an official response from China.
This incident follows recent reports of Chinese ships in the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by China, known there as the Diaoyus. These uninhabited islands, potentially rich in oil and gas, remain a significant point of contention between China and its neighbouring countries, most of whom are allied with the U.S.