A Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait yesterday, Japanese media reported.
After passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ikazuchi was to proceed to the South China Sea to take part in a joint military exercise with the US and the Philippines, the reports said.
Japan Self-Defense Force vessels were first reported to have passed through the strait in September, 2024, with two further transits taking place in February and June last year, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
Photo: screen grab from the Seaforces.org Web site
Yesterday’s transit also marked the first time since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office that a Japanese warship has been sent through the Taiwan Strait.
Since Takaichi’s remarks about a “Taiwan contingency” in November last year triggered a backlash from China, Japan has sought to engage in dialogue and improve relations with Beijing, but the latest transit also signals that Japan remains firmly committed to upholding the principle of “freedom of navigation” under international law, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.
The previous three transits took place roughly every few months, whereas this time there was a gap of about 10 months. The delay is attributed to China’s international “public opinion campaign” following Takaichi’s remarks in the Diet, in which Beijing criticized the statement as implying that Japan would intervene militarily in a Taiwan contingency.
In response, Japan conducted a careful assessment to avoid its actions being exploited, the Japanese media said.
During this period, Takaichi used meetings with foreign leaders to explain the current state of Japan-China relations and Japan’s position to key counterparts, the report said, adding that Japan has assessed that conditions are now in place to resume transits.
The US has also consistently maintained that the Taiwan Strait constitutes international waters where freedom of navigation applies, and it continues to sail its naval vessels through the area.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday called the transit “a deliberate provocation.”
The Chinese military has handled the entry “in accordance with laws and regulations,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) said.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces declined to comment on a report about Guo’s remarks.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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