08 May '25

Sky High Tensions: Japan and China Trade Accusations Over Disputed Island Airspace

The ongoing dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands flares up as both nations accuse each other of airspace violations, escalating tensions in the East China Sea.

Tensions between Japan and China have escalated following accusations of airspace violations near the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku Islands by Japan and the Diaoyu Islands by China. Both nations have lodged strong protests against each other, highlighting the complexities of their territorial dispute.

Japan's Foreign Ministry announced it had issued a "very severe protest" to Beijing after a Chinese coast guard helicopter, launched from one of China’s vessels, entered Japanese airspace around the Senkaku Islands. The helicopter reportedly violated Japanese airspace for approximately 15 minutes on Saturday, prompting the Japanese Self-Defense Force to scramble fighter jets. Japan considers this incident an intrusion into its territorial airspace and has urged the Chinese government to take preventive measures.

In response, China has also protested against Japan, claiming a Japanese civilian aircraft violated its airspace near the islands. The Chinese Embassy in Japan expressed “strong dissatisfaction” and accused Japan of a “severe violation of China’s sovereignty.” China Coast Guard stated they “immediately took necessary control measures” and deployed a ship-borne helicopter to warn and drive away the Japanese aircraft.

Japanese officials are currently investigating a potential link between the Chinese coast guard helicopter’s intrusion and the presence of the Japanese civilian aircraft in the area around the same time.

This latest incident underscores the long-standing friction in the region. China frequently sends coast guard vessels and aircraft into the waters and airspace around the islands. Saturday’s intrusion was the first since August, when a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft violated Japanese airspace off the southern prefecture of Nagasaki. Chinese aircraft have violated Japanese airspace near the Senkaku Islands twice before.

Other Versions

Justice • 08 Apr '25

A life in Taiwan

Sky High Tensions: Japan and China Trade Accusations Over Disputed Island Airspace

The ongoing dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands flares up as both nations accuse each other of airspace violations, escalating tensions in the East China Sea.

Other Versions

American Lawyer in Taiwan Faces Sexual Assault Charges: A Case of Betrayal and Legal Turmoil

Sumatran Tiger Cubs Bring Hope and Conservation Success to Indonesia

Taiwan Gym Trainer Flees After Child Abuse Allegations: Fugitive on the Run

A Taste of Italy in Taipei: "Italiano Insieme" Hosts a Celebratory "Festa Italiana"

Philippines Softens Stance: Opens Doors for Official Exchanges with Taiwan

Bribery Scandal Rocks Taiwan: Witness Alleges Payments to Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je

German National Indicted in Taiwan Over Alleged Heroin Smuggling

Hsinchu Preschool Scandal: Three Indicted for Alleged Child Abuse

Bill Gates to Launch Revolutionary Pregnancy Supplement in Indonesia

Urgent Alert: Coral-Eating Starfish Threaten to Devastate Taiwan's Pratas Islands in Two Years

Sponsor

Categories

Tags