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Yomiuri Shimbun
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Destroyer Passed Through Taiwan Strait in Mid-June Amid China's Intensifying Military Activities
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami in February 2020 The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami passed through the Taiwan Strait on June 12, several government sources said. This is the third time an MSDF vessel has passed through the strait, following September last year and March this year. The move is seen as an attempt to deter China, which is intensifying its military activities. After passing through the strait, the Takanami took part in a joint drill with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on June 14.
Asahi Shimbun
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
MSDF destroyer sails through Taiwan Strait amid tensions
The JS Takanami of the Maritime Self-Defense Force joins a joint exercise with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on June 14. (Toshiya Obu) The Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer JS Takanami passed through the contested Taiwan Strait, waters between China and Taiwan that China considers its own, in mid-June, multiple government sources said. The move is believed to be aimed at deterring China, which has been ratcheting up its naval activities in the region. This marks the third time that an MSDF vessel has passed through the strait, following similar passages in September last year and February this year. According to the government sources, the JS Takanami headed south through the passageway from the East China Sea on June 12 and entered the South China Sea. It is believed that the course was chosen deliberately on its way to a joint exercise with the Philippine Navy held on June 14. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani reportedly advised the prime minister's office that Japan should demonstrate its resolve not to allow any unilateral attempts by China to change the status quo, and had been seeking an opportunity for such a transit. Since late May, the Chinese navy has operated two aircraft carriers in waters near Japan. On June 7, for the first time, the Chinese naval vessels crossed the 'second island chain,' which stretches from Japan's Izu island chain to Guam. On June 7 and 8, carrier-based aircraft from a Chinese carrier flew unusually close to MSDF aircraft, among other activities. (This article was written by Daisuke Yajima and Mizuki Sato.)
Kyodo News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Japan destroyer sails Taiwan Strait after China jet encounter
KYODO NEWS - 12 hours ago - 00:06 | All, World, Japan A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait last week, days after a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific, diplomatic sources said Thursday. It was the third known passage through the waterway by an MSDF ship, with all occurring within the past year, apparently aimed at warning China, which continues to pressure Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island it claims as its own. The Takanami entered the strait from the East China Sea on June 12 and spent more than 10 hours as it sailed toward the south, the sources said. After the transit, the destroyer headed to waters off the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The entire transit was tracked and monitored by the Chinese military, according to the sources. The Takanami conducted a joint maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy on Saturday in a South China Sea area the Southeast Asian country claims jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying assertions in the waters. The Japanese government has typically refrained from sending MSDF vessels through the Taiwan Strait to avoid provoking China. But it has shifted its stance amid Beijing's growing assertiveness, joining ally the United States and others in asserting freedom of navigation in what they consider international waters. The latest transit came after Japan's Defense Ministry said that a Chinese J-15 fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong approached as close as 45 meters to an MSDF P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific on June 7 and 8. The previous two transits took place in September last year and February this year. The Japanese government has not officially admitted to the activities. Related coverage: Philippines, Japan conduct joint exercise in South China Sea China Coast Guard helicopter enters Japan airspace off Senkakus Japan defense chief vows to enhance transport capacity with new unit
Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Japan destroyer sails Taiwan Strait after China jet encounter
A member of the Philippine Navy looks out at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Takanami in the South China Sea on June 14. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO - A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait last week, days after a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific, diplomatic sources said on June 19 . It was the third known passage through the waterway by an MSDF ship, with all occurring within the past year, apparently aimed at warning China, which continues to pressure Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island it claims as its own. The Takanami entered the strait from the East China Sea on June 12 and spent more than 10 hours as it sailed toward the south, the sources said. After the transit, the destroyer headed to waters off the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The entire transit was tracked and monitored by the Chinese military, according to the sources. The Takanami conducted a joint maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy on June 14 in a South China Sea area the Southeast Asian country claims jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying assertions in the waters. The Japanese government has typically refrained from sending MSDF vessels through the Taiwan Strait to avoid provoking China. But it has shifted its stance amid Beijing's growing assertiveness, joining ally the United States and others in asserting freedom of navigation in what they consider international waters. The latest transit came after Japan's Defense Ministry said that a Chinese J-15 fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong approached as close as 45m to an MSDF P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific on June 7 and 8. The previous two transits took place in September 2024 and February 2025 . The Japanese government has not officially admitted to the activities. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan destroyer sails through Taiwan Strait after China jet encounter
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait last week, days after a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific, diplomatic sources said Thursday. It was the third known passage through the waterway by an MSDF ship, with all occurring within the past year, apparently aimed at warning China, which continues to pressure Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island it claims as its own. The Takanami entered the strait from the East China Sea on June 12 and spent more than 10 hours as it sailed toward the south, the sources said. After the transit, the destroyer headed to waters off the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The entire transit was tracked and monitored by the Chinese military, according to the sources. The Takanami conducted a joint maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy on Saturday in a South China Sea area the Southeast Asian country claims jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying assertions in the waters. The Japanese government has typically refrained from sending MSDF vessels through the Taiwan Strait to avoid provoking China. But it has shifted its stance amid Beijing's growing assertiveness, joining ally the United States and others in asserting freedom of navigation in what they consider international waters. The latest transit came after Japan's Defense Ministry said that a Chinese J-15 fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong approached as close as 45 meters to an MSDF P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific on June 7 and 8. The previous two transits took place in September last year and February this year. The Japanese government has not officially admitted to the activities. © KYODO
