Chinese vessels entered Japan’s waters in the East China Sea at two separate locations on Thursday, prompting Tokyo to lodge protests against Beijing.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the top Japanese government spokesperson, said Japan conveyed “strong concern” and lodged a protest against China through diplomatic channels after a Chinese military ship intruded into Japan’s waters.
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, a Chinese Navy Shupang-class survey ship entered Japanese waters near Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, off the island’s southwest coast, around 10 a.m., reported the Yomiuri Shimbun.
The naval vessel left around 1 p.m. from the west side of Kuchinoerabu Island, heading west, the ministry added….