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Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
To China Provocations, Ishiba Gov't Response is Truly Pathetic
このページを 日本語 で読む Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama all adopted timid stances toward China. This situation is extremely unfortunate as it undermines Japan's national interests. On July 9 and July 10, a Chinese J-H7 fighter-bomber made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft over the East China Sea. On both days, the Chinese military aircraft came within about 70 meters of the ASDF plane if measured in a straight line. These were abnormal, dangerous, and provocative manners of flying. The latest incidents came shortly after similar incidents on June 7 and June 8. In those cases, a Chinese military aircraft made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese military's high-handed behavior is utterly unacceptable. China must reflect on such foolish actions that impair its dignity as a country. But even more concerning is the Ishiba administration's truly pathetic response to these Chinese provocations. This Chinese JH7 fighter bomber approached Japan's Air Self-Defense Force YS11EB electronic measuring device on July 9. (Photo provided by the Ministry of Defense) On July 10, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. At that time, Iwaya conveyed Japan's serious concerns about the dangerous approaches of Chinese military aircraft. He also called for China to desist from such behavior. Also, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi expressed serious concern about the incidents to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao via telephone. However, expressing "serious concerns" is a milder diplomatic response than a formal "protest." How Germany handled a similar incident in early July stands in stark contrast. After a German military aircraft was targeted by a laser on a Chinese warship during a reconnaissance flight over the Red Sea, Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador to Germany. When he arrived, German officials delivered a strong protest. Why don't we learn from Germany? Leaders of Japanese political parties attend a pre-election debate in Tokyo on July 2. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai) During a street corner campaign speech ahead of the July 20 Upper House election, Ishiba said, "We will not be disrespected." He was referring to the tariff policy of the Trump administration. Yet he refused to speak out in protest regarding abnormal behavior on the part of the Chinese military. It is Chinese behavior that could lead to an accidental military conflict. Ishiba has also been silent on the subject on social media. His responses have been clearly imbalanced. Even after the close encounters over the Pacific in June, the government only expressed "serious concern." Then, too, Prime Minister Ishiba issued no statement on the matter. After this pitiful performance, Japan should expect to be disrespected and once again subjected to dangerous provocations. Clearly, the Japanese government should display more righteous anger. The attitude of LDP Secretary-General Moriyama is also bizarre. On July 11 he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Osaka. But according to reports, the main topics discussed were the issue of resuming Japanese beef exports to China and a request for China to loan Japan more giant pandas. Why is it that Moriyama did not press He to engage in a frank and honest exchange regarding the abnormal approaches of Chinese military aircraft? Even more so, why didn't he call for the release of Japanese nationals currently detained by Chinese authorities? The same also holds true for Foreign Minister Iwaya. If our leaders will not speak and act resolutely for the sake of Japan, they are not fit to serve at the nation's helm. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Strengthening Defense Capabilities: China's Provocative Actions Cannot be Ignored
Chinese military aircraft have repeatedly engaged in dangerous flights in the skies surrounding Japan. This could lead to an accidental collision. It cannot be ignored. Japan also needs to strengthen its vigilance against Russia and North Korea, which are deepening their military cooperation. Strengthening defense capabilities in light of the worsening security environment is an urgent issue. The ruling and opposition parties must discuss concrete measures for that purpose. On July 9 and 10, a fighter-bomber of the Chinese military came as close as 70 meters to an Air Self-Defense Force intelligence-gathering aircraft over the high seas in the East China Sea. The ASDF aircraft was engaged in surveillance operations. China's National Defense Ministry issued a statement claiming that the approach was due to the ASDF aircraft having intruded several times into the air defense identification zone set by China. It asserted that the response by the Chinese aircraft was completely legitimate and reasonable. The site was over the high seas, where free flights are allowed under international law. There was no flaw in the operations of the ASDF aircraft. It is inexcusable to make assertions as if the ASDF aircraft was in violation of international law. Last month, too, a Chinese military aircraft flew abnormally close to a Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane over the western Pacific Ocean. Japan has expressed 'grave concerns' to China over each of these incidents, but the response of the Chinese side lacks sincerity. It is necessary for Japan to strongly protest and demand an apology, not just express concerns. China has engaged in a series of provocative activities around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. Its recent military operations likely indicate that Beijing is attempting to make its effective control of the region an established fact. This perception is reflected in the 2025 edition of Japan's Defense White Paper, released on July 15. The white paper indicates a strong sense of caution for the first time, as it analyzes that the China Coast Guard and the Chinese military have been conducting joint drills in a drive to improve their operational capabilities in gray-zone situations, where the boundary between peacetime and contingency is unclear. If a remote island is occupied by armed fishermen from another country, the Japanese government will be forced to make a difficult decision as to whether the Japan Coast Guard will respond to the situation or the Self-Defense Forces will be mobilized. The JCG and the SDF should maintain close communication to deal with all possible situations. Despite the various issues to be addressed, it is hard to say that strengthening defense capabilities has become a point of contention during the ongoing House of Councillors election campaign. The United States has been demanding that its allies and other countries significantly increase their defense spending. Japan may also be pressed to enhance its defense budget in the future. Japan must strengthen its defense capabilities at its own discretion and work to deepen the alliance. It is important for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss what a defense burden commensurate with national power should be like. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 16, 2025)
The Mainichi
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Osaka-native SDF pilot makes dream come true in Blue Impulse flights over Expo site
OSAKA -- The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF)'s Blue Impulse aerobatics team showcased its aerial performances above areas around the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, venue July 12 and 13 after the original flight schedule in April on the Expo's opening day was canceled due to bad weather. One pilot in particular had special feelings about flying the jet as a Blue Impulse member. ASDF pilot Shoya Matsuura, 30, is from Suita, Osaka Prefecture, home to the iconic "Tower of the Sun," the symbol of the 1970 Osaka Expo. He saw the Blue Impulse team's performance about 15 years ago and decided to become a pilot. Making his childhood dream come true, Matsuura commented, "I've achieved a lifetime goal." The team took the same flight route on both days, taking off from Kansai International Airport around 2:40 p.m., passing landmarks such as Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward and Osaka Castle in Chuo Ward, before flying over the Tower of the Sun. From around 3 p.m., a 15-minute aerial display took place over the artificial island of Yumeshima, the Expo site. The aircraft emitted white smoke, creating heart shapes and the number "8," and performed aerobatic flights, including ascending in a widening spiral. "It was amazing," Matsuura said after the flight on July 12. Reflecting on flying over Suita, he commented, "I was happy to have the rare opportunity to see my hometown from the sky. I wondered if my friends were watching." Before boarding the aircraft on the second day, the team held a briefing where pilots reviewed weather conditions, the runway at Kansai International Airport, flight altitude, scheduled performances at the Expo site and the flight route. Matsuura smiled while confirming the timing for the smoke release. After successfully completing the momentous two-day stunt, Matsuura stated, "I hope there was a moment that moved the hearts of those who watched the flights. Flying over the area near the Tower of the Sun where I grew up was an unforgettable sight." (Japanese original by Tadakazu Nakamura, Izumisano Resident Bureau)
13-07-2025
- Politics
China Defends Warplane's Abnormal Approach to Japan ASDF Aircraft
News from Japan World Jul 13, 2025 15:07 (JST) Beijing, July 13 (Jiji Press)--China on Sunday defended its military aircraft's unusually close approach to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over the East China Sea earlier this month. The action by the Chinese aircraft is completely legitimate and reasonable, a National Defense Ministry spokesperson said in a statement. The statement claimed that the Chinese side was engaging in surveillance activity after ASDF aircraft repeatedly entered China's air defense identification zone. It criticized Japan, saying that Japanese reconnaissance activity is the root cause of risks in the sea and airspace between China and Japan. According to Japan's Defense Ministry, a Chinese fighter-bomber abnormally approached an ASDF intelligence-gathering aircraft that was conducting surveillance activity over the high seas in the East China Sea on Wednesday and Thursday. The Chinese warplane came as close as 30 meters to the ASDF aircraft. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Japan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
China says Japanese ‘harassment' behind close encounter with ASDF spy plane
China on Sunday denied that it had risked a collision in close encounters with Air Self-Defense Force surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea last week, calling 'close-in reconnaissance and harassment' by the Japanese side 'the root cause' of the latest incident. Chinese JH-7 fighter-bombers came within 30 meters of the Japanese YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, making 'unusual approaches' over international waters. But Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin called the move 'entirely justified, reasonable, professional and up to standard' after ASDF aircraft 'repeatedly entered China's East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) for close-in surveillance.' 'The close-in reconnaissance and harassment by Japanese vessels and aircraft are the root cause of maritime and aerial security risks between China and Japan,' Jiang said. 'We hope Japan will work with China in the same direction to foster a conducive atmosphere for the stable development of bilateral relations.' Japan said Thursday that the move had 'raised serious concerns,' adding that it had 'strongly urged the prevention of such incidents from recurring.' Last week's close encounters came as Japan's top diplomat met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a regional summit in Malaysia to voice unease over a recent spate of military moves by Beijing — including two similar encounters last month. In early June, Chinese J-15 fighter jets from the country's Shandong aircraft carrier risked collisions with Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance aircraft over the Pacific Ocean after flying within 45 meters of the Japanese plane on June 7 and just 900 meters in front of its flight path — a distance that can be covered in a matter of seconds by the plane — the following day. The latest encounters echoed two that occurred in 2014, when Chinese fighter jets also came within 30 meters of Japanese patrol planes over the same waters in the East China Sea, near the disputed Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Japan and claimed by China, where they are known as the Diaoyu. Concerns have been growing in Tokyo over China's moves in the waters and airspace near the Senkakus after a Chinese government helicopter violated Japanese airspace around the uninhabited islets in May and as Beijing continues to send government ships to the area on a daily basis. China announced its East China Sea ADIZ in November 2013, saying aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures.' The move, which encompassed the area over the Senkakus and overlaps with Japan's own ADIZ, was strongly protested by Tokyo. Beijing has in recent years ramped up military activity and training in the waters and airspace of the ADIZ — as well as in even more far-flung areas of the Pacific Ocean — highlighting its growing prowess farther from its shores. China's two operating carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time last month, in what Japanese defense officials have said is a significant expansion of Chinese naval activities.
