Japanese and Chinese coast guard vessels clashed in a standoff around the disputed Senkaku Islands on Tuesday. Both nations' authorities reported the incident amid strained ties following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent suggestion that Japan might intervene militarily in a Chinese assault on Taiwan. Two Chinese patrol ships entered Japan's territorial waters and departed hours later.
The Japan Coast Guard reported that two China Coast Guard patrol ships entered Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea during the early hours of Tuesday. The vessels departed after a few hours. The islands, claimed by both nations, have been the site of repeated such encounters.
Tensions have escalated since Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated last month that her country could provide military support in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. This remark has further strained China-Japan relations.
Official statements from the Japan Coast Guard provided a brief account of the intrusion, with similar reports from the Chinese side. The incident underscores the ongoing territorial dispute over the resource-rich area, a persistent flashpoint in regional geopolitics.
While experts warn of escalation risks in these minor standoffs, this one concluded without further incident.