Japan lodged a diplomatic protest on Wednesday after China demanded a Japanese research vessel halt a seabed survey in the East China Sea. Tokyo called the demand unacceptable because the survey occurred within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The dispute adds to growing tensions between Asia’s two largest economies.
According to Japan’s Coast Guard, the research vessel Takuyo received repeated radio calls from a Chinese coast guard ship. The Chinese vessel ordered the ship to stop its survey and leave the area northwest of Okinawa. Japan rejected the demand, saying the work complied with international law.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan protested through diplomatic channels. He stressed that Tokyo would firmly protect its territory and sovereign rights while responding in a calm manner. Japanese authorities maintained the seabed survey was a legitimate activity within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The latest confrontation comes amid broader disputes over Taiwan and the East China Sea. Japan has repeatedly accused Chinese survey vessels of operating near the Tokyo-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands. Maritime incidents have continued to strain relations between the neighboring countries.
Separately, Chinese authorities formally arrested two employees of Fuji Electric over alleged rare earth-related export violations. The arrests follow tighter Chinese export controls on rare earths and dual-use materials. Those restrictions have disrupted supplies to Japanese manufacturers and increased bilateral tensions.