According to the Ministry of Defense, a Chinese Navy survey vessel sailed in the territorial waters of Japan off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture on the 8th. A Chinese Navy survey vessel was sailing in territorial waters off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture in February, and the Ministry of Defense protested to China through diplomatic channels, saying that it was frequently navigating in Japan's territorial waters.
According to the Ministry of Defense, at around 8:7 a.m. on the 1th, the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that a Chinese Navy survey ship was sailing westward in the contiguous zone southeast of Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.
After that, the survey ship entered the territorial waters of the Japan southwest of Yakushima at about 10 a.m., and left the territorial waters about three hours later, at about 3 p.m., and headed west.
This is the eighth time a Chinese Navy survey ship has sailed in the territorial waters around Yakushima Island since November, and the second time since February.
International law recognizes the "right of innocent passage" that military ships of each country can pass through the territorial waters of coastal states as long as they do not harm the order and safety of coastal states, just like ordinary ships.
The survey ship can examine the topography, water depth, and sea temperature of the seabed, and according to a Ministry of Defense official, the Chinese military may be collecting this information to help operate submarines.
The Ministry of Defense protested to China through diplomatic channels and continues to monitor and monitor China, stating that "despite repeated communications of concerns, ships are frequently sailing in Japan's territorial waters."