TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan said Monday it has repeatedly protested to China over Chinese coast guard vessels operating near Yonaguni Island in waters east of Taiwan.
TV Asahi News reported that Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru said Chinese coast guard ships have repeatedly entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone south of Yonaguni while asserting jurisdictional claims, per CNA. He said Tokyo has lodged diplomatic protests with Beijing on multiple occasions.
Kihara called China’s maritime activity “unacceptable” and said Japan would respond “resolutely and calmly,” according to TV Asahi. He reaffirmed Tokyo’s determination to defend its territory, territorial waters, airspace, and sovereign rights.
Following a May 28 summit, Japan and the Philippines announced the start of negotiations on exclusive economic zones and continental shelf boundaries, a move that drew criticism from Beijing, according to CNA. China has since continued sending coast guard vessels into waters east of Taiwan.
Kihara also said the Japan-Philippines negotiations pose no issues under international law despite Chinese objections, according to TV Asahi.
Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island, lies about 110 kilometers from Taiwan and is administered by Okinawa Prefecture. It is the closest Japanese territory to Taiwan and has seen increased Chinese maritime activity in recent years.
