Japan says it told China survey ship to leave Tokyo’s economic waters
The Japanese coast guard said on Tuesday a Chinese survey ship had left Tokyo’s exclusive economic zone after being ordered repeatedly to stop research operations that Japan said were unauthorised. The Chinese vessel Kexue was first seen on September 27 in waters around 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of Ishigaki island in Japan’s southernmost prefecture […]
On Tuesday, the Japanese coast guard reported that a Chinese survey ship had departed from Tokyo's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) following repeated orders to cease unauthorized research activities. The Chinese vessel Kexue was initially spotted on September 27, 70 kilometers north of Ishigaki Island in Okinawa prefecture, engaging in activities such as extending wire-like objects from its sides and stern.
Coast guard spokesman Masashi Asano informed AFP that the vessel eventually left on Friday after the coast guard issued "radio messages demanding the survey be halted, stating that scientific research in our maritime zone without consent will not be tolerated."
The coast guard noted that the number of unapproved surveys by Chinese ships in Japan's EEZ has more than doubled compared to last year, with 14 instances reported so far in 2026, up from six in 2025 and one or two in the preceding three years. This surge in unauthorized surveys coincides with the recent maritime border negotiations between Japan and the Philippines, which began on May 28, aiming to establish legal certainty in the region.
Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a crucial global trade route, despite an international ruling that its claim lacks legal foundation.
The Japanese coast guard has experienced tense encounters with its counterpart from the Philippines, raising concerns about the possibility of armed conflict. Additionally, both Japan and China frequently engage in standoffs involving coast guard vessels near the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described China as an "important neighbor" during a policy address on Monday and expressed a commitment to fostering a stable relationship between the two nations.
Notably, diplomatic tensions have been high between Japan and China since Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo might intervene in an attack on Taiwan, a territory claimed by Beijing.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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