Press Releases

1. On June 12, at approximately 11 a.m., Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Japan, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and made a strong protest regarding the June 11 incident in which Chinese military fighter aircraft (Su-27) flew close to aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Maritime Self-Defense Force and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences.

2. Vice-Minister Saiki pointed out that an incident in which Chinese military aircraft flew close to Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft occurred just recently, on May 24, and on that occasion also he lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences. He said that the reoccurrence of a similar incident is deeply deplorable, and lodged a strong protest and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences, so that extremely dangerous activities that could lead to an unexpected accident in the sea or airspace in the vicinity of Japan should not repeated.

3. Vice-Minister Saiki said that it was important that the defense authorities of Japan and China discuss the safety and security at sea and in airspace in order to avoid and prevent unexpected incidents between the two countries, and that both sides should initiate operation of the maritime communication mechanism between Japan and China defense authorities as early as possible.

4. In response to this, Ambassador Cheng explained China’s position, including that it cannot accept Japan’s demarche. Ambassador Cheng said China also considers it important that Japan and China communicate with each other in order to prevent unexpected incidents. He said that he would report said remarks made by Vice-Minister Saiki to his government.

5. In addition, Vice-Minister Saiki also strongly protested China’s application to have records concerning the “Nanjing Incident” and “comfort women” issue listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, and he once again demanded that China withdraw the application immediately.