A Chinese Y9 military surveillance aircraft like the one that violated Japanese airspace on August 26 is shown flying over the East China Sea. (Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office)
On August 26, a Chinese Y9 intelligence-gathering military spy plane violated Japanese territorial airspace. The violation occurred off the coast of the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force issued a warning and scrambled fighter jets to meet the aircraft approaching Japanese airspace. Nevertheless, the Chinese military aircraft ignored the warning. It began circling, violating Japanese airspace for about two minutes before flying off in the direction of the Chinese mainland.
This is the first confirmed violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military aircraft since the end of World War II.
A 'Grave Violation'
It is inconceivable that a military spy plane would mistakenly enter Japanese airspace. Military provocations like this are completely unacceptable. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally protested the violation. The Chinese government and the Chinese military owe Japan an apology.
It is only natural that Defense Minister Minoru Kihara criticized China at a press conference on August 27, calling it a "grave violation" of Japanese sovereignty that is "completely unacceptable."
The next time a Chinese military aircraft violates Japanese skies, we should not hesitate to fire warning shots or force a landing.
This incident is also a reminder of the 2022 case of China firing ballistic missiles that landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone. Clearly, we must speed up our efforts to strengthen Japan's defensive capabilities.
Gauging the 'Political Vacuum'
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not run in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election in September, which means he will be stepping down as prime minister. As a result, a "political vacuum" has been created in Japan. With the Diet not currently in session, the attention of the public and the media is now focused on the LDP presidential election, which will determine Kishida's successor.
The Chinese spy plane's violation of Japan's airspace likely represented China's attempt to measure Japan's readiness. It doubtless wanted to know whether ongoing events were affecting the SDF's defense posture and gauge the reaction of the ruling and opposition parties, and public opinion to this blatant violation of sovereignty.
Questions remain about the government's response immediately following the incident. Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Masataka Okano summoned acting Chinese ambassador Shi Yong to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lodged a strong protest. But why didn't Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa deliver the protest personally?
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida himself should have criticized China on August 26 and expressed his determination to defend the country.
Illusion of Japan-China 'Friendship'
On August 27, members of the supra-partisan Japan-China Parliamentary Friendship Association journeyed to China. Among others, they included Toshihiro Nikai, former LDP secretary-general, and Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the LDP's General Council.
This group blithely flew off to China the very day after a Chinese military aircraft had violated Japan's airspace. They should have canceled or deferred their trip in protest. Perhaps they intend to protest to top Chinese officials in Beijing. However, having shown up the day after this major violation of sovereignty they will likely be scorned and their words dismissed out of hand.
Although they are not the relevant cabinet ministers, Takayuki Kobayashi and Sanae Takaichi publicly raised the issue. In a press conference, State Minister for Economic Security Takaichi called the violation of Japanese airspace an infringement on sovereignty. Kobayashi, who was State Minister for Economic Security from 2021-2022, did the same on social media.
All candidates for the LDP leadership post should make their voices heard concerning this urgent issue.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
