Politics & Security

Chinese Military Violates Japanese Airspace: an Attempt to Counter NATO?

Chinese Weibo users cheer CCP military plane's violation of Japanese airspace, leading Japan to increase its multilateral deterrence and communication efforts.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2024

Keita Ozawa

The Chinese military Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft that violated Japan's airspace. August 26, over the East China Sea (provided by the Ministry of Defense's Joint Staff Office)

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) confirmed on August 26 that a Chinese military aircraft violated Japanese airspace for the first time. Nevertheless, in recent years, Chinese vessels and aircraft have routinely carried out activities just outside Japan's territorial waters and airspace.

The defense ministry stated that it was taking the incident "extremely seriously." It is currently analyzing the intent behind the incursion while maintaining full vigilance and monitoring.

High Air Scramble Rate

According to the MOD's Joint Staff Office, Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets conducted 669 emergency scrambles in fiscal year 2023. These scrambles were in response to foreign aircraft that may have violated Japan's airspace. Of these, Chinese aircraft accounted for 479 incidents, approximately 72% of the total.

Chinese military aircraft have extended their activities to areas around the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture). Recently, drone flights have also become increasingly noticeable off the western coast of Kyushu. This time, a manned Chinese military aircraft breached Japan's airspace near Nagasaki. "China may be escalating its activities even further," a senior Self-Defense Forces (SDF) official commented.

*A member of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows reporters the cockpit of the SeaGuardian in the operation room of the MSDF Hachinohe Air Base on June 21, 2023. (© Sankei by Toyohiro Ichioka)*

A Warning to NATO?

This airspace violation is timed with the growing military activities of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries in the Indo-Pacific region. NATO nations have been increasingly aligning with Japan and the United States. There is speculation that China may not like this added presence in the region.

Since June, several NATO member countries have deployed warships to the Pacific. Their deployment is part of the US Navy-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises. On August 22, the Italian Navy's aircraft carrier Cavour, equipped with F-35B fighter jets, made its first port call in Japan.

Escalating Tensions and Social Media Reactions

In 2018, Japan and China launched the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism. The initiative was designed to prevent accidental clashes between the SDF and the Chinese military. Additionally, in May 2023, both countries established a direct hotline to enhance communication between their senior defense officials.

However, escalating Chinese military activities could increase the risk of accidental clashes. Japan plans to boost its deterrence against China. At the same time, it aims to further strengthen communication between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities to prevent unforeseen incidents.

*China's Eastern Theater Command released a scene from a military exercise on Weibo on May 23 showing Chinese military aircraft leaving the hangar. (©Kyodo)*

On August 26, the Chinese social media platform Weibo shared reports from Japanese and Hong Kong media about the incident. Some comments framed it as "retaliation" for a reported Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer's brief entry into Chinese territorial waters in July. Posts reading "good job" reflect some Chinese netizens' hostility toward Japan and approval of China's aggressive behavior.

Read the article in Japanese.

Author: Keita Ozawa, The Sankei Shimbun