Japanese Defense Minister Considered Senkaku Inspection, Postponed Due to China Awareness... High Possibility of Future Inspection

▲Taro Kono, Japanese Minister of Defense [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Taro Kono, Japan's Defense Minister (equivalent to South Korea's Minister of National Defense), reportedly considered inspecting the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands, a territory disputed between China and Japan, but postponed the plan due to concerns over China's backlash.

On the 26th, Sankei Shimbun reported that during his visit to the Ground Self-Defense Force and Air Self-Defense Force bases on Miyakojima and Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on April 8-9, Defense Minister Kono reviewed the possibility of conducting an aerial inspection of the Senkaku Islands.

This would have been unprecedented for a Japanese Defense Minister, but it was ultimately postponed as proceeding with it was expected to provoke the Chinese government.

Sankei Shimbun reported, "Although Defense Minister Kono showed enthusiasm for the inspection, it was postponed out of diplomatic consideration," adding, "Official inspections of the Senkaku Islands by the Defense Minister have been taboo."

The newspaper cited a Japanese government official saying, "The decision was made not to go this time, but it is possible that he may go eventually."

The Senkaku Islands are under Japan's effective control, but recently, China has frequently sent government vessels near the islands, escalating military tensions between China and Japan.

The Japan Coast Guard has confirmed that Chinese vessels have approached the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands for 111 consecutive days since April this year.

Defense Minister Kono has indicated the possibility of a tough response, stating, "If necessary, the Self-Defense Forces want to act decisively in cooperation with the Coast Guard."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.