According to government officials, on the morning of the 4th, a Chinese Navy vessel entered the continental zone off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, just outside Japan's territorial waters.
It was also confirmed that one Russian Navy ship entered the continental zone off the Senkaku Islands on the morning of the 4th.
It means that both Chinese and Russian ships have already left the continental zone.
This is the fourth time that a Chinese Navy vessel has been confirmed to have entered the continental zone off the Senkaku Islands since the hospital ship sailed four years ago in June 2018.
Although there is no problem with the navigation of the contiguous zone by warships under international law, the Ministry of Defense is analyzing the purpose of navigation of each ship and continuing to monitor it.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara "Protests by expressing serious concern to the Chinese side"
At a press conference, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara protested to the Chinese side through diplomatic routes after a Chinese Navy vessel entered the contiguous zone just outside Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture on the morning of the 4th. I made it clear that I did.
In this, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said, "At around 7:44 am, one Chinese Navy vessel monitored by the Maritime Self-Defense Force entered the connecting water area of Japan southwest of Uotsuri Island in the Senkaku Islands." rice field.
He explained that a Chinese Navy vessel had left the continental zone at around 7:50 am and was not found to have invaded Japan's territorial waters.
"This is the fourth time that a Chinese Navy vessel has entered the connecting waters of the Senkaku Islands, following June 2016, January 2018, and June 2018. Based on this, China through diplomatic routes. He expressed serious concern to the side and protested, calling for prevention of recurrence. "
Furthermore, "The Senkaku Islands are a territory peculiar to Japan both historically and under international law, and the government will deal with it calmly based on the idea of firmly protecting Japan's territory, territorial waters, and airspace. ".