On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga accused Beijing of 14 violations throughout the past weekend of what Tokyo considers its sovereign territory, vowing a “firm,” but “calm” response to the Chinese side.
Suga said that Japan’s Coast Guard will work with other national agencies to respond to developments. The Japanese Defense Minister, Tomomi Inada, also added that air raids over Chinese vessels will be conducted.
According to Japanese authorities, 14 Chinese ships have sailed into the waters near the Senkaku since Friday, and 12 remain there as of Monday. Additionally, Japan discovered Chinese surface radar on a gas drilling platform on the southeast border of the region, said to be designed to detect ships.
The incidents led to a tense diplomatic exchange between the countries. Japan’s foreign ministry summoned Chinese diplomats on Saturday, calling the crossings an “unacceptable” act that raises tensions. The same day Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying issued a response on the government site, claiming Beijing has sovereignty over the islands and surrounding waters.
The confrontation between the two neighbors over the East China Sea commenced following the end of the World War II, when Tokyo occupied large swaths of Chinese lands.
The spike in tensions follows a ruling of the International Court on the complex dispute in the South China Sea. The recent order stated that Beijing has no historical rights for areas it claims. Beijing has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court.
