Kihara: China Coast Guard demanded halt to Japan EEZ survey

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed on July 1, 2026, that the Chinese Coast Guard had demanded halt its survey operations within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the East China Sea. The incident occurred on June 30, when the Japanese Coast Guard vessel Takuyo was conducting a seabed survey approximately 290 kilometers northwest of Okinawa’s main island. The Chinese vessel repeatedly ordered the Japanese ship to cease its operations and leave the area via radio communication, but the Japanese vessel maintained that its activities were lawful and in accordance with international law.

Kihara emphasized that Japan had lodged a formal diplomatic protest with China, calling the Chinese demand “unacceptable”. The survey, which began on June 15, is part of Japan’s annual efforts to study its continental shelf and assert its sovereign rights under international maritime law. This marks the sixth time since 2012 that Chinese authorities have made such a demand during these surveys.

The incident adds to a broader pattern of maritime tensions between Japan and China, particularly in the East China Sea, where both countries have overlapping territorial claims, including over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The Japan Coast Guard has continued its operations without interruption, and complete its survey by the end of July.

The dispute underscores the fragile nature of bilateral relations, which have been further strained by recent diplomatic and economic measures, including China’s restrictions on Japanese exports and travel. Analysts suggest that such incidents may have long-term implications for regional stability and could influence investment decisions in the Asia-Pacific region.