Japan issued a formal diplomatic protest to Beijing following live-fire military drills conducted by Chinese and Russian naval vessels within Tokyo’s exclusive economic zone. The exercises took place approximately 180 kilometers southwest of Okinotori Island, marking the first time Japanese military officials have publicly disclosed live-fire exercises carried out by China in its surrounding EEZ waters.
While Japanese defense officials noted that the activity did not violate international law, Tokyo raised strong concerns regarding potential navigation hazards to commercial and regional maritime traffic.
The joint naval maneuvers involved four vessels, including Chinese guided-missile destroyers, a replenishment ship, and a Russian frigate.
Radio warnings were broadcast to nearby ships shortly before one of the Chinese destroyers initiated firing exercises. Beijing does not recognize Japan’s EEZ claim around Okinotori, maintaining that the remote landmass is legally a rock rather than an island capable of generating an exclusive economic zone under international maritime law.
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This latest encounter underscores growing regional friction as China and Russia expand joint air and naval operations around Japan’s southwest territory. Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have remained tense following diplomatic friction over Taiwan, prompting Japan to bolster its defense capabilities and intelligence surveillance along its southern island chain.
The maritime incident adds to a series of close military encounters between the neighboring nations, further intensifying security concerns across the Western Pacific.
