A Chinese missile destroyer fired live rounds within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Sunday, marking the first time the Japanese defence ministry has acknowledged such an event involving a foreign naval vessel in these waters. The military exercise occurred approximately 180km from Okinotori, Japan’s southernmost island, which extends the country's EEZ claims.
Prior to the drill, three Chinese warships and a Russian frigate were observed sailing between Okinawa’s main island and Miyako island toward the Pacific on Thursday. These vessels were later identified about 330km south-west of Okinotori early Sunday. The Chinese destroyer issued a warning to nearby shipping before proceeding with the exercise, which reportedly utilized machine guns with live ammunition.
Minoru Kihara, Japan’s top government spokesman, stated at a Tuesday briefing that Tokyo views these maneuvers as evidence of strengthening cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries. Japan has communicated its concerns to Beijing via diplomatic channels, noting that the drills could have endangered the navigation of other ships in the area. Kihara affirmed that Japan would continue to monitor the activities of Chinese and Russian vessels in its surrounding waters.
Beijing maintains a differing position, disputing the designation of Okinotori as an island. China claims it is merely a reef and therefore does not generate an EEZ, asserting that it is free to operate in the surrounding waters. While a Chinese aircraft carrier and a research ship entered these waters in 2025, this incident represents the first instance of live-fire activity recorded by the Japanese defence ministry. The Philippines previously won a landmark case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 that found China’s sweeping claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea had no basis under international law, a decision that Beijing continuously rejects.
The regional climate remains tense, with military exercises involving China and Russia increasing since Tokyo’s relations with Moscow deteriorated over the war in Ukraine. Additionally, diplomatic friction between Tokyo and Beijing persists following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister in November 2025 regarding a potential military response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Separate maritime tensions also escalated on Monday near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Philippine authorities reported that a sailor suffered a serious head injury after being struck by a Chinese crew member with a wooden baton. China disputed this account, alleging that Philippine personnel initiated the conflict using long poles and other implements. This incident precedes scheduled talks between foreign ministers at the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting in Manila. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arriving for the summit, condemned the pattern of provocations and affirmed the US commitment to freedom of navigation in the region.
