China, Russia fire weapons in Japan's waters
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- China and Russia conducted a joint live-firing exercise using machine guns within Japan's exclusive economic zone, the first such drill by China observed and disclosed by Japan's defense ministry.
- Japan mobilized air and sea assets to monitor the Chinese Luyang III-class destroyer and Russian naval vessel operating 180km southwest of Okinotori island, calling the drill a navigational hazard.
- Japan's government lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing, stating the live-fire exercise 'could have endangered the navigation of nearby ships' during the drill on Sunday.
- China's foreign ministry rejected Japan's claims as 'completely groundless' and accused Tokyo of 'smearing and hyping up' legitimate and lawful military activities.
- A fleet of three Chinese ships and a Russian frigate was initially detected 330km southwest of Okinotori, moving northeast before conducting the drill, according to Japanese officials.
- Japan linked the drill to broader concerns about deepening military cooperation between China and Russia near its territory, vowing continued monitoring of their activities.
Why it matters: Japan's formal protest and public disclosure mark a shift in how it responds to foreign military activity in its waters, elevating tensions with China and signaling that joint drills by strategic partners like China and Russia are now treated as direct security concerns, not just routine operations.
