Japan says there are alleged Chinese submarines near territorial waters

TOKYO, Sept. 12 (Reuters) – The Japanese defense ministry said Sunday that a submarine believed to be coming from China was seen in waters near its southern islands as maritime tensions persist in the Pacific.

On Friday morning, the Japanese navy identified a submerged vessel sailing northwest on the outskirts of territorial waters near Amami Oshima Island, which is part of Kagoshima Prefecture, the ministry said in a statement. communiqué. A Chinese destroyer was also seen in the vicinity.

Tokyo has complained about numerous intrusions by Chinese ships into its territorial waters and near disputed islands in recent years. China has often reacted angrily to American ships sailing in disputed areas of the South China Sea in what Washington calls signs of freedom of navigation.

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, who was visiting Vietnam during a trip to Southeast Asia, said the two countries should refrain from unilateral actions related to the South China Sea that could complicate and increase the disputes.

Sunday’s announcement said Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force identified the ships in an adjoining area, which is outside territorial waters where the ships are required to identify themselves. However, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi instructed his staff to “collect information and maintain vigilance with a sense of urgency,” the statement said.

Chinese embassy officials were unable to contact him immediately for comment on Sunday.

The submarine continued underwater westward into the ocean, near Yokoate Island, the ministry said.

(This story was corrected to set the date for Sunday in the fifth paragraph)

Rocky Swift report in Tokyo; Edited by William Mallard

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