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Diaoyu Islands
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Diaoyu Islands

Diaoyu Islands
Diaoyu Islands
The Diaoyu Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located roughly due east of mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of Okinawa Island, and north of the southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands. They are currently controlled by Japan, which calls them Senkaku Islands. Both China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the islands.
A law enforcer on a China Coast Guard vessel observes Philippine boats in a disputed area of the South China Sea in February. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
Two Sessions 2026

Why China’s new 5-year plan targets stronger policing of disputed waters

Focus on maritime law enforcement believed to highlight growing challenges facing Beijing, particularly in the South China Sea.

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China-Japan relations

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

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5
China-Japan relations

Beijing and Tokyo in maritime stand-off after Japan seizes Chinese boat, captain

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16
Japan

Why more Japanese than ever support strengthening the military

A record-high survey result reflects how the war in Ukraine and regional tensions have reshaped Japan’s once cautious security outlook.

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A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s newly built submarine Sogei at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on October 14, 2025. Photo: Kyodo
China-Japan relations

Beijing hits back at ‘extremely hypocritical’ critics of drills around Taiwan

Japan, Australia, Britain and the EU express concern about live-fire and blockade exercises around island.

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100
China-Japan relations

China’s volatile Japan ties

China and Japan have built deep economic links, while also still having regular diplomatic rows. The latest blow-up came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that the nation’s military forces could potentially be deployed in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

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China-Japan relations

Chinese and Japanese coastguard ships confront each other near disputed islands

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi angered Beijing with her comments on Taiwan.

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The uninhabited islands are the scene of regular confrontations. Photo: Kyodo
US-China relations

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

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China-Japan relations

For Chinese in Japan, life goes on – but with an eye on public sentiment

Chinese report little visible protest activity to date but memories of 2012 China-Japan tension over disputed Diaoyu Islands linger.

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Singapore

Singapore PM hopes China, Japan ‘find ways to resolve’ Taiwan Strait row

Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during an event earlier this month. Wong has noted that Japan seems inclined to stabilise ties with China and not escalate matters. Photo: EPA/Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information
China travel

Drop in Chinese tourists could cost Japan US$9.59 billion: economist

Beijing has urged Chinese citizens to refrain from travelling to Japan following comments about Taiwan by new Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi.

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Members of a Chinese tour group wait to cross a road in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district on Monday. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Will China ramp up military activity near Japan over Takaichi’s comments?

PLA activities near the disputed Diaoyus possible if tensions over Japanese leader’s Taiwan remarks escalate, analysts say.

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China-Japan relations

Japan risks ‘path of no return’ if it intervenes in Taiwan, PLA Daily warns

Strongly worded commentary in China’s military mouthpiece comes as several ministries issue travel warnings against Japan in deepening row.

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Japan

Where is Japan’s EEZ? Tokyo’s complaint over Chinese ship marks unresolved issue

A Chinese survey ship has reportedly entered Japanese waters in the East China Sea over three days in the past week.

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Xiang Yang Hong 3, a Chinese survey ship prepares to sail. A similar vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 22, has reportedly crossed what Japan claims is the median line in the East China Sea in recent days. Photo: Weibo/战刀007
Japan

Protests over Japan-US military drills in Okinawa expose domestic rifts

While Japan’s defence minister has condemned the protests, a governor says the US military presence places a huge burden on Okinawa.

The Marine Air Defence Integrated System (left and centre), and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System at a camp on Ishigaki in Okinawa deployed for the 2025 Resolute Dragon Japan-US joint drills. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

‘Behind the curve’: Japan adopts US drones to counter intrusions

US-built SeaGuardian drones promise 40-hour patrols of disputed waters as Japan aims to reduce costly fighter jet scrambles.

China-Japan relations

On WWII anniversary, China’s PLA says Japan never abandoned military power dream

PLA Daily commentary criticises Tokyo’s plan to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, breaking a long-standing 1% ceiling.

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Japan

‘Pattern emerging’: is China intentionally provoking Japan with close fly-bys?

Such moves signal to Japan that China is willing to monitor and challenge Japanese activities in areas it considers to be its territory, analysts warn.

A Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flying close to a Japan Air Self-Defence Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft on surveillance over the high seas in the East China Sea on July 9. Photo: Japan’s Ministry of Defence / AFP
Japan

Why Japan just tested a missile on its own turf for the first time

Driven by concerns over China’s military might and North Korea’s provocations, Japan is moving towards greater defence self-sufficiency.

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Japan

Is Japan facing higher risk of drone warfare over Diaoyu Islands?

Japan has said its military could shoot down foreign drones flying over its territory, days after a Chinese-made drone entered its airspace.

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Japan

Japan flags record 216 days of Chinese ships near disputed islands

The unprecedented streak of Chinese vessel sightings was capped off by four coastguard vessels that were observed on Sunday, Tokyo said.

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A Chinese maritime surveillance vessel and a Japanese ship pass near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Japan’s ex-army chief sees China preparing for East China Sea landing operation

Kiyofumi Iwata points to Beijing’s growing military preparations and incursions in the East China Sea as signs of a potential landing operation.

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Chinese and Japanese coastguard vessels sail near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in April. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
Japan

Explosion rocks US airbase in Japan’s Okinawa; 4 injured

Four soldiers suffered injuries to their fingers while working at a US airbase that stores unexploded bombs.

Japan

China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

Beijing has recently removed controversial maritime buoys, eased a politically charged seafood import ban and appeared to temper its rhetoric.

Japan

China’s ‘incremental’ moves in disputed waters spark concern in Japan

China could gain control of more undersea resources, change status quo with suspected construction of new offshore platform, analysts say.

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The Zhenhua 30, a 297.6-metre-long heavy lift vessel, was one of two Chinese ships spotted 345km northwest of Kume Island in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: Handout
Japan

Why Japan’s coastguard has a recruitment problem

The manpower shortage comes as Japan continues to clash with China over their rival territorial claims, such as in the Diaoyu Islands.

A Japanese coastguard ship sails near a Chinese marine surveillance vessel near the Diaoyu Islands, referred by Japan as Senkaku Islands. Photo: Kyodo News Stills via Getty Images
Japan

Will war break out in Asia? Survey shows more Japanese fear it is ‘likely’

Conflict in Ukraine and the growing assertiveness of China and North Korea are among the reasons for growing public anxiety, analysts say.

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China-Japan relations

China-Japan dispute flares up after ‘ultranationalists’ fly plane over Diaoyus

Beijing blames extremist ‘activists’ for an incident over the disputed territory that prompted a flurry of diplomatic protests.

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