Last year, 18 cases of China Coast Guard vessels approaching Japanese fishing vessels were confirmed in the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, more than double the previous year.
Experts have pointed out that "the movement on the Chinese side may become even sharper in the future," and the Japan Coast Guard is increasing caution.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, 34 cases of China Coast Guard vessels invaded the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands last year, an increase of 10 cases from the previous year.
In particular, 18 cases of invading the territorial waters due to the movement to approach Japanese fishing vessels were confirmed, more than doubling from 8 cases in the previous year.
In addition, the number of days sailing in the continental zone outside the territorial waters was 332 days, which was almost the same level as the record high of 333 days in the previous year.
In February last year, China enforced the "Marine Police Law" that allows the Maritime Police Law to use weapons when foreign ships do not obey the stop order in the sea area under their jurisdiction. We are strengthening the movement to advance.
Professor Emeritus Shigeki Sakamoto of Kobe University, who specializes in the law of the sea, said, "China's intention is to shake down Japan's effective control by cracking down on Japanese fishing boats. The movement on the Chinese side may become even sharper in the future. There is. "
The Japan Coast Guard is increasing its vigilance, including the policy of increasing the number of large patrol vessels by 10 by the 7th year of Reiwa, keeping in mind the security around the Senkaku Islands.
Is it possible to navigate even in stormy weather as Chinese ships become larger?
According to the Japan Coast Guard, the China Coast Guard was incorporated into the armed police under the command of the military in 2018, and in addition to the authority to enforce the law under the "Marine Police Law", it shall perform missions based on military orders. Is stipulated.
The size of ships has increased rapidly in the last few years, and according to the analysis by the Japan Coast Guard, the number of large ships of 1000 tons or more belonging to the China Coast Guard was 131 at the time of adulthood, 2012 before the incorporation. It has increased more than three times compared to.
This is nearly twice the number of large patrol vessels owned by the Japan Coast Guard.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, recently, four ships of the China Coast Guard have been confirmed to invade the continental zone and territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands.
With the increase in large vessels, it seems that it has become possible to continue sailing even in rough weather such as cliffs, and the number of continuous sailing days in the contiguous zone last year was 157 days from February to July, 111 of the previous year. It was the longest, well above the day.
Takahiro Okushima, Secretary of the Japan Coast Guard, said at a regular press conference last month that "the situation around the Senkaku Islands is still in an unpredictable and difficult situation," and expressed his intention to increase caution.
Experts "Maintenance of patrol boats" "Education of crew is also necessary"
Professor Shigeki Sakamoto of Kobe University, who specializes in international maritime law, said, "The China Coast Guard ship and the Japan Coast Guard patrol boat are facing each other over the Senkaku Islands, but the organization of the Japan Coast Guard, which is a police agency, is It plays a role in stopping the escalation of the situation. However, in light of the increase in size of the Japan Coast Guard vessel and the modernization of equipment, it is necessary for the Japanese side to develop a well-equipped patrol vessel. "
On the other hand, Jun Tsuruta, an associate professor at Meiji Gakuin University, who specializes in international maritime law, said, "Japan is increasing the number of large patrol vessels of the Japan Coast Guard, but what is important is whether the quality of the response capability is catching up properly. It is also necessary to educate the crew to move it, and it is important to note that increasing the number of ships does not improve the coping ability. "
He added, "The response of the Senkaku Islands may be a long-term battle. Just because China is increasing the number of ships, Japan will not do the same, and we must consider another response method." increase.