Japan mobilized fighter jets and lodged a diplomatic protest with China after a Chinese military plane had reportedly entered its airspace for the first time on Monday, according to the Independent.
Japan’s Defense Ministry detected a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane off the coast of the Danjo Islands near Nagasaki. The plane flew within Japanese airspace for about two minutes, from 11:29 a.m. to 11:31 a.m. local time, and made several circles over the waters southeast of the islands before heading back to China at Laround 1:15 p.m.
Japan’s defense forces scrambled fighter jets to intercept the plane and issued warnings to leave the airspace. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the breach as “a serious violation of Japan’s sovereignty and a threat to its security.” He described the incident as “utterly unacceptable” and summoned a Chinese embassy official to express Japan’s concerns.
The Ministry released photos of the Y-9 plane and a flight path map. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed at least four fighter jets to address the situation.
Japan continues to monitor increased Chinese military activity near its borders and is prepared for future incidents. However, Hayashi did not provide details on the ongoing diplomatic discussions with China.
This is the first time a Chinese military aircraft has violated Japanese airspace since Japan began monitoring such breaches in 1958. Tensions have risen between Japan and China, particularly after recent maritime incidents and airspace encounters.
Last week, Japan detected a Chinese amphibious assault ship and a destroyer near the Miyako Islands and has previously reported incidents involving a Chinese marine surveillance plane and drone in the East China Sea.
Experts believe the Y-9’s intrusion may have been a Chinese effort to probe Japan’s air defense systems and gather electronic intelligence.
China has not yet responded to the incident.