Four armed Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered waters administered by Japan early Sunday, intensifying a diplomatic flare-up triggered by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
Japan’s Coast Guard reported that the ships circled the Senkaku Islands on Saturday before crossing into Japanese territorial waters the following morning. They have since departed. China’s Coast Guard confirmed the operation, calling it a “rights enforcement patrol” and insisting the mission was lawful under Chinese jurisdictional claims.
The uninhabited island chain — known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China — has long been a flashpoint in the East China Sea. Both nations claim sovereignty, but the islands are administered by Tokyo. According to Japanese Coast Guard data, Chinese vessels have appeared in the contested waters for at least 27 days so far this year, most recently on Oct. 15.
The latest incursion comes amid rising friction following Takaichi’s comments last week that any use of military force in a conflict over Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. Under Japanese law, such a designation could allow the nation to intervene militarily in support of an ally — a prospect that Beijing views as deeply provocative.
China swiftly condemned Takaichi’s statement and demanded a retraction. It also issued a travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid Japan. On Sunday, China’s Education Ministry further warned students considering study in Japan to exercise heightened caution, citing increased safety risks.
Beijing remains acutely sensitive to foreign commentary on Taiwan, the democratically governed island it claims as its own and has vowed to reunify with — by force if necessary. The maritime encounter near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands now adds another layer of volatility to an already fraught moment in regional security.
