Japan has raised alarms to China regarding military exercises conducted around Taiwan, signaling escalating tensions between the two East Asian nations. On Tuesday, the Japanese government announced it had scrambled fighter jets near Yonaguni, its southernmost island, after detecting increased Chinese military activity in the area.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki addressed reporters, confirming that Japan had conveyed its concerns to China. This reaction followed the sighting of two Chinese naval vessels, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, navigating south of Yonaguni Island on Sunday. Chinese jets were observed taking off and landing on the Liaoning, prompting Japan to deploy fighter jets the next day.
Japan routinely scrambles fighter jets in response to foreign military activity near its islands. Aoki emphasized that “China has been expanding and activating its military operations around Japan in recent years,” highlighting a troubling trend of growing Chinese military assertiveness. He reassured the public that the government would remain vigilant, monitoring the movements of the Chinese navy and enhancing information gathering, patrols, and surveillance efforts.
These recent incidents reflect a deterioration in relations between Beijing and Tokyo. China’s expanding military footprint and assertive maneuvers have prompted Japan to strengthen its security partnerships with the United States and other allies.
Tensions escalated in August when a Chinese military aircraft made the first confirmed incursion into Japanese airspace. In September, the Liaoning was seen navigating between Yonaguni and another nearby Japanese island for the first time. Additionally, a Japanese warship traversed the Taiwan Strait, drawing a sharp reaction from Beijing.
The latest developments indicate rising tensions between Japan and China, with potential ramifications for regional security and stability. The increased military activities around Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China, heighten concerns about the possibility of conflict in the region.