Hayashi emphasized that the near miss, which took place in international waters, could have led to an accidental collision. Japan’s defense ministry stated that a J-15 fighter jet from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong engaged in other “dangerous” activities, including passing in front of an SDF aircraft flying at the same altitude about 900 meters away. Although there were no damages or injuries to the Japanese plane or crew, Japan expressed “serious concerns” over the “abnormal approaches”.
The incidents have heightened concerns about China’s increasingly bold naval and air activity in the Asia-Pacific region. China sees its carrier groups as essential to projecting power in the region’s oceans. It routinely sends coast guard vessels, warships, and warplanes to areas around disputed islands in the East China Sea, and it now appears to be extending its reach. China’s military and government have not responded publicly to Japan’s complaints about the near miss. However, earlier this week, the foreign ministry defended dual aircraft carrier drills in the Pacific, urging Japan to view those activities objectively and rationally. China claims that its military vessels’ activities in relevant waters are consistent with international law and international practices, and that it pursues a defensive national defense policy.
The dual carrier drills are seen as a sign of China’s intention to expand its presence beyond the first and second island chains that border its eastern coastline. The first chain refers to the Pacific archipelago off the Asian mainland, including Japan, Taiwan, and part of the Philippines. The second chain extends to Guam, a US territory in the Pacific. Last weekend marked the first time a Chinese carrier had sailed east of the second chain. Japan’s defense minister, Gen Nakatani, said that China aims to enhance its capability with two aircraft carriers and improve its operational capabilities in remote seas and airspace. Chinese fighter pilots have been accused of dangerous maneuvers in the past, including by Australia, the Philippines, the US, and Canada, as recently as February. In February, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. State officials and media insist that the naval activity is not aimed at a specific country or entity, but the PLA is working towards launching a land invasion of Taiwan. On Wednesday, Chinese state media accused Japan of potentially breaching its post-war constitution, which limits its armed forces to a strictly defensive role, with plans to deploy new missile systems to the southern main island of Kyushu. The reports argue that the deployment and other weapons procurement are confrontational and would ultimately affect the peaceful development prospects of the entire region. The Shandong and a second Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered an area of Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the first time last weekend. The Shandong sailed through waters 550km south-east of Miyako Island in Okinawa on Saturday, conducting takeoff and landing drills involving fighter jets and helicopters north of Okinotori, Japan’s southernmost island, and inside its EEZ. The Liaoning was spotted the same day 300km south-west of Minamitori, before leaving Japan’s EEZ to conduct similar exercises on Sunday, according to the Kyodo news agency.
