The Japanese government has reported that a Chinese naval observation vessel has entered Japan’s southern territorial waters.
According to a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Chinese navy observation ship entered national territorial waters off the southern Kagoshima province.
The Chinese navy ship, which had been cruising around the islands off Kagoshima for about 7 hours, left the area covered by the territorial waters at noon.
Japan Coast Guard (KAIHO) announced that since the beginning of this year, Chinese naval observation vessels have breached Japanese territorial waters for the fifth time.
Cabinet Chief Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said in a statement that concerns regarding the issue were conveyed to the Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels.