The government has urged caution after a small Japanese civilian plane was spotted near uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, around the same time a Chinese helicopter violated Japanese airspace in the vicinity last week.
While Japanese aircraft operating in the country's airspace pose no legal issue, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said contingencies stemming from such flights should be avoided amid tensions with China over the Senkaku Islands.
The Senkakus are administered by Japan but claimed by China. Tokyo has already lodged a protest with Beijing over Saturday's airspace intrusion by a helicopter that took off from one of four Chinese coast guard vessels sailing in Japanese territorial waters around the islets. China has rejected Japan's claim.
"Given that the purpose of the flight by the small aircraft in question was leisure, we have conveyed to the operator that it should ensure safety and avoid unexpected consequences," Hayashi said at a press conference.
As China continues to send patrol ships to waters around the Senkaku Islands, the latest incident marked the fourth airspace intrusion by Beijing, according to Japan.
© KYODO
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isabelle
All caused by China's lawless belligerence. It is the number one source of regional tensions.
There should be no need at all for the Japanese government to have to "urge caution" for civilian planes flying legally in Japanese territory.
As ever, if China has a "claim" it should pursue this through the correct legal channels, not violate Japan's sovereign waters and airspace.
But China won't, because it is a lawless, belligerent menace.
WiseOneIn Kansai
China as usual has no shame! If you want respect, you have to show respect!
As Isabelle mentioned, everything was done lawfully on the Japanese side. It's just the belligerent bully in Asia that is causing problems for many countries around the world.
Yubaru
Trying to stay politically correct here? Taiwan also claims these islands as well
Meiyouwenti
As Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi pointed out, Japanese aircraft flying in Japan’s airspace pose no legal problem. It’s China that should stop violating another country’s airspace and avoid contingencies.
WA4TKG
I can think of thousands of other places to go fly than around there…of course they could go out on Patrol for JSDF, THAT would be fun. I can go fly Co-Pilot with ‘em on THAT run
Pukey2
First comment from Izzy. No surprises there.