Chinese Y-9 Intelligence Aircraft Flies Over East China Sea, JASDF Scrambles Jets

Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office reported that a Chinese military intelligence gathering aircraft, a Y-9, operated over the East China Sea on the afternoon of the 28th. The aircraft flew south of the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, headed toward the waters off the main island of Okinawa, and then turned back. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) scrambled fighter jets in response.

According to information released by the Joint Staff, the Chinese aircraft flew from the direction of China, traveled over the East China Sea, turned southwest south of the Danjo Islands, and turned back near the main island of Okinawa. It then flew back and forth between the south of the Danjo Islands and the waters off Okinawa before returning to China.

According to reports by Minaminihon Broadcasting, the flight path map released by the Joint Staff shows the aircraft passing off the coast of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture, the waters around Toshima Village, and off the Amami Islands before reaching the airspace near the main island of Okinawa.

The Joint Staff stated that in response to the movements of the Chinese military aircraft, units such as the JASDF's Western Air Defense Force scrambled jets to monitor and maintain vigilance.

In recent years, activities by Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels in the sea and airspace around Japan have become frequent. The Ministry of Defense continues to strengthen surveillance and regularly publishes related developments.