Japan Protests Live-Fire Exercise in EEZ
The Japanese government has lodged a formal protest with China following a live-fire naval exercise conducted by a Chinese warship within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the incident occurred on Sunday approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) southwest of Okinotori, a coral atoll that serves as Japan’s southernmost point.
Japanese officials stated that the exercise involved a Chinese Renhai-class guided-missile destroyer, which performed the live-fire drill while accompanied by two other Chinese naval vessels—a Luyang III-class destroyer and a Fuchi-class replenishment ship—as well as a Russian Steregushchiy-class frigate. This event marks the first time that the Japanese Ministry of Defense has publicly acknowledged a foreign navy vessel conducting live-fire drills within its claimed EEZ.
Diplomatic Friction and Conflicting Claims
The incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Minoru Kihara, Japan’s top government spokesperson, stated on Tuesday that the Japanese government contacted China through diplomatic channels to protest the activity. Kihara noted that such maneuvers could pose a danger to the navigation of nearby vessels, which had been issued warnings by radio immediately prior to the live-fire activity.
Beijing has rejected the protest, maintaining that its naval operations were conducted in accordance with international law. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Tokyo’s concerns as completely unreasonable
and “groundless.” The disagreement is rooted in a fundamental dispute over the status of Okinotori. While Tokyo classifies the feature as an island that entitles Japan to an EEZ, Beijing argues that Okinotori is merely a reef, asserting that the surrounding waters are not part of Japan’s EEZ and remain open for operations.
Regional Security Context
The exercise is part of a broader trend of increased joint naval and air operations between China and Russia in the waters surrounding Japan. According to Japanese military authorities, these maneuvers have prompted the government to strengthen surveillance and bolster defenses across the Japanese archipelago.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense characterized the drill as part of a move by the Chinese and Russian militaries toward strengthening their cooperation.
Tokyo has expressed ongoing concern regarding the behavior of vessels from both nations in the region. The relationship between the two countries has remained strained since late 2025, following comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, in which she suggested that a Chinese attack on the island could trigger a Japanese military response.
Operational Timeline
The presence of the Chinese and Russian vessels was tracked by Japanese forces as they sailed toward the EEZ prior to the Sunday exercise.
* Thursday: Three Chinese warships and a Russian frigate were spotted sailing between Okinawa’s main island and Miyako Island into the Pacific. * Sunday (Early Hours): The fleet was observed approximately 330 kilometers southwest of Okinotori. * Sunday (Daytime): A Chinese guided-missile destroyer conducted the live-fire drill, which reportedly included the use of machine guns, about 180 kilometers from Okinotori.
Japan continues to monitor the area, with officials emphasizing their intent to maintain surveillance of naval behaviors in the waters around the country.
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