Japan "Chinese Navy Enters Yakushima Territorial Waters... Concerns Conveyed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The Japanese government confirmed that a Chinese naval survey ship sailed within the territorial waters of Yakushima, southern Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, and expressed strong concerns to China on the 12th.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Chinese survey ship entered Japanese territorial waters near Yakushima at around 2:30 a.m. that day, moved northwest, and exited the territorial waters at around 4:10 a.m.

China Survey Ship Movement Route [Photo provided by Japan Ministry of Defense] [Image source=Yonhap News]

It is reported that this is the first time a Chinese survey ship has entered Yakushima's territorial waters.

Kyodo News reported that the general mission of survey ships is to investigate the seabed terrain for submarine navigation.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense stated through the local public broadcaster NHK, "The Chinese survey ship sailed around the area about five times last year," and added, "We will analyze the purpose of this voyage and continue surveillance activities."