Japan's Defense Ministry reports detection of two Chinese warships
Japanese media report: On the 21st, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office announced that the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed a Chinese Navy destroyer and a frigate sailing near the coast of Yokotō Island in the Toshima Village, without entering territorial waters.
The Defense Ministry believes this may be a countermeasure in response to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's passage through the Taiwan Strait on the 17th.
Around 11 a.m. on the 19th, the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed the two warships sailing eastward, located approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Yokotō Island. They sailed between the island and Amami Ōshima (ancient Ryukyu Kingdom) into the Pacific Ocean.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's "Yasuki" was assigned to surveillance and intelligence gathering. On the same day, the Chinese Navy announced it would conduct exercises in the Western Pacific.
This marks the first time since the beginning of 2026 that Chinese naval vessels have sailed near Yokotō Island. There was one instance in 2025 and eight in 2024.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863086996928713/
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