Recent events in the East China Sea have escalated tensions between Japan and China, prompting serious concern from the Japanese government. According to official reports, on July 9th and 10th, 2025, Chinese JH-7 fighter jets conducted close approaches to Japanese YS-11EB patrol planes. These incidents, lasting approximately 15 and 10 minutes respectively, occurred outside Japanese airspace, yet Japan lodged a formal protest with China, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry has expressed its serious concern over these actions, emphasizing the need for China to prevent such occurrences in the future. This is not an isolated event; in June 2025, Chinese J-15 fighter jets also engaged in similar close approaches to Japanese P-3C patrol planes. The repeated nature of these incidents underscores a pattern of behavior that Japan views as provocative and destabilizing.
A recent analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicates a significant increase in Chinese military presence in the East China Sea over the past five years. The report details a 35% increase in patrols and surveillance activities by Chinese naval and air forces in the region. Furthermore, a separate report by the Japanese Ministry of Defense revealed that the number of close encounters between Japanese and Chinese aircraft has doubled since 2020. These statistics paint a clear picture of escalating military activity.
Japan's response reflects a commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its airspace. The government's firm stance is supported by a strong public sentiment, with recent polls showing over 70% of Japanese citizens expressing concern about China's growing military assertiveness. The situation remains tense, and diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation and prevent further incidents.