Japan Should Just Remove Chinese Buoy Near Yonaguni Island

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Recently it was found that China removed a controversial maritime buoy it had installed within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in waters near the Senkaku Islands, Okinawa Prefecture. If the Chinese government intended to appease Japan by the move, it was an extremely poor strategy. The Japanese government should not view it as any kind of favor.

A Chinese oceanographic research vessel installed the buoy inside Japan's EEZ in July 2023, without Japanese government approval. Viewed benignly, its purpose near the Senkaku Islands was to observe ocean currents and weather.

However, conducting maritime research without permission within another country's EEZ violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Japanese government had also repeatedly protested the buoy's presence and called on China to remove it.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the buoy had been moved. However, despite violating international law, China showed no remorse and offered no apology. The spokesperson simply said, "Relevant departments made independent technical adjustments."

Such an attitude is totally unacceptable.

A Chinese maritime buoy thought to be similar in appearance to the one installed around the Senkaku Islands, Okinawa Prefecture. (From the website of the Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

More Chinese Buoys in Japanese Waters

Other buoys that China has positioned in violation of international law still exist. Also, a Chinese buoy was discovered in December 2024 inside Japan's EEZ off the coast of Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture. It remains in place even now as a standing threat to the Japanese seas.

The Chinese buoy near Yonaguni could be used for nefarious purposes in a Taiwan or Nansei Islands contingency. During his December 2024 visit to China, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya called for the buoy's removal. However, the Chinese government has ignored that request.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated at a press conference on February 12 that Japan has "strongly requested the immediate removal" of the Chinese buoys off the coast of Yonaguni Island.

It is natural to continue protesting through diplomatic channels, but that alone is insufficient. Japan should simply and quickly remove any buoys installed in violation of international law and make China pay the costs.

*The Philippines removed floating barriers in its EEZ, demonstrating a firm stance against China. (©Philippine Coast Guard via Reuters)*

Follow the Philippines' Example

Two years ago, in a similar case, China installed floating barriers in the South China Sea, and the Philippine government removed them. If the Philippines can take such action, why can't Japan?

China may be aiming to improve the image of its relations with Japan by removing the buoy off the coast of the Senkaku Islands. Beijing's action comes amid an intensifying confrontation with the United States following the inauguration of the second Trump administration.

However, removing an illegal buoy under the pretext of "technical adjustments" is unlikely to reverse rampant distrust of China among the Japanese people.

Armed vessels belonging to the China Coast Guard have been repeatedly intruding into Japanese territorial waters, day after day, around the Senkaku Islands. As long as China refuses to admit wrongdoing, there is a risk it will continue to install buoys in violation of international law.

To deter this possibility, the Japanese government should immediately remove the buoy off the coast of Yonaguni.