Japanese officials announced on Wednesday that they will closely monitor China's military activity to ensure Beijing follows through on its commitment to prevent future violations of Japan's airspace. This follows China's explanation that a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft unintentionally entered Japanese airspace near Kyushu on August 26, citing turbulence as the cause.
In response to the incursion, which led Japan's military to scramble fighter jets and issue a warning, Tokyo lodged a formal protest and requested an explanation from Beijing.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that China acknowledged the airspace violation and reassured Japan that measures would be taken to avoid a recurrence.
“We take note of China's explanation, and we will closely watch Chinese military activity from now on,” Hayashi said.
China explained that the airspace violation occurred when the pilot of a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane took emergency measures due to turbulence in the area, and that it was not intentional, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry. However, Japanese officials did not disclose further details, including when China provided the explanation, citing diplomatic exchange protocols.
While turbulence is a common issue for aircraft, Japanese officials expressed disbelief over the significant deviation from the flight path. NHK reported that defense officials in Japan continue to view the airspace violation as unacceptable, calling it a serious breach of Japan's territorial sovereignty.
The incident has raised concerns in Japan about China's increasing military activity in the waters and airspace surrounding Japan's southwestern region. In response, Tokyo has significantly strengthened its defenses in the area, particularly around remote islands that are crucial to Japan’s defense strategy.
Japan is also concerned about joint military activities between China and Russia.
In August, a Chinese survey ship violated Japan's territorial waters off a southern island. Then, in September, the Chinese aircraft carrier *Liaoning* and two destroyers sailed between Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni—just east of Taiwan—and nearby Iriomote, entering Japan's "contiguous zone." This area lies just outside a country’s territorial waters, where it still has the authority to exercise some control over maritime traffic.
(Source: UNB)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
