Japan’s military may set up a new unit to monitor Chinese naval operations in a move to counter the increasingly aggressive position of the Chinese Navy in the East China Sea.

The new unit would consist of 200 troops in Yonaguni Island, near Taiwan, and the troops would radar monitor Chinese naval operations in the region.

The Ministry of Japan confirmed that it is looking at strengthening military monitoring capabilities in south-western islands and a budget for the unit would be formally submitted, according to the Canadian Press.

Tokyo and Beijing have conflicting territorial claims of the islands after an incident in which a Chinese trawler collided with two Japanese coast guard patrol ships in waters near the disputed islands.

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact