For the first time, a Chinese aircraft carrier group entered Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near its easternmost island, raising security concerns in Tokyo.
Japan’s defence ministry reported that the Liaoning carrier, accompanied by two missile destroyers and a supply ship, entered the EEZ on Saturday evening and later exited to conduct military drills involving fighter jets and helicopters.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan had sent a “relevant message” to China but did not confirm whether a formal protest was lodged.
The incident occurred about 300 km southwest of Minamitori Island, a strategically important, resource-rich Japanese territory in the Pacific Ocean. Although uninhabited, it hosts meteorological and defence personnel.
Japan deployed its warship Haguro to monitor the situation, emphasizing that such moves by China aim to expand its naval capabilities and presence in distant waters.
This marks the latest in a series of Chinese naval operations around Japan, highlighting ongoing regional tensions and the fragile security situation in the Indo-Pacific.
