Breaking! Intense standoff south of Kagoshima! Lhasa destroyer formation rushes through the Ōsumi Strait, Japan's F15J fighters scrambled urgently, 14 warships advancing to the western Pacific, could there be major events happening? On the afternoon of June 5 local time, according to the latest intelligence notification released by Japan's Ministry of Defense, yesterday at around 6 PM, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels and Air Self-Defense Force P-1 anti-submarine patrol aircraft encountered the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer "Lhasa" sailing east at high speed in the southwestern waters off Kagoshima Prefecture. The task force including the Type 054A guided-missile frigate "Weifang" was located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the Kusagaki Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture on that day, passing through the Ōsumi Strait into the Western Pacific. During this period, Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled multiple F-15J fighters to accompany and monitor the surrounding airspace. Due to the close proximity of the 055 formation to the coast of Kyushu, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force was on high alert, having to dispatch vessels for full accompaniment. According to AIS vessel positioning information system display, three vessels of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were dispatched to monitor the "Lhasa" formation throughout its passage through the Ōsumi Strait from both sides. Meanwhile, Self-Defense Force P-1 anti-submarine patrol aircraft repeatedly conducted ultra-low altitude approaches from the air to probe the rapid response capabilities of the "Lhasa" formation. It is worth noting that after completing "back-to-back" practical joint exercises in a certain sea area of the Yellow Sea, the vessels within the "Lhasa" formation split into two routes. One route led by the "Lhasa" destroyer with the "Weifang" frigate following passed through the Ōsumi Strait into the Western Pacific. Another route consisted of the Type 903 comprehensive replenishment ship "Kekexili Lake" and the Type 054A guided-missile frigate "Yantai", which entered the Western Pacific via the Miyako Strait. Currently, both formations are heading southward and may rendezvous with the "Liaoning" carrier strike group in the southern Philippines Sea. It is noteworthy that this is the most far-reaching mission executed by the Type 055 guided-missile destroyers so far. At present, there are three Type 055 guided-missile destroyers operating in the Western Pacific, including the "Nanchang" and "Wuxi" destroyers in the "Liaoning" carrier battle group, as well as the newly arrived "Lhasa". There are currently two large flotillas comprising 14 surface warships active in the Western Pacific. This rare maritime gathering posture has put Japan on high alert. [Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834091080162304/] Disclaimer: This article solely represents the views of the author.