Japan Protests Chinese Airspace Violation Near Kyushu

Japan's government has formally protested after a Chinese reconnaissance plane entered its airspace near Kyushu. The incident prompted Japan to scramble fighter jets. Japanese officials are analyzing the activity and have called on China to prevent future violations, reflecting growing concerns about Chinese and Russian military actions.

Japan's government lodged an official protest with Beijing following a Chinese reconnaissance plane's incursion into Japanese airspace on Monday. The incident forced Japan to deploy fighter jets, according to officials.

The aircraft, a Chinese Y-9, circled over Danjo Island near Kyushu for two minutes before departing. The Japanese Self Defence Force's Joint Staff confirmed the event and announced that an analysis of the Chinese military's recent activities is underway.

Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano summoned acting Chinese Ambassador Shi Yong to deliver a strong rebuke and demand preventive measures against future violations. Japan has scrambled jets nearly 669 times over the past year, with 70 percent of those responses targeting Chinese military aircraft, underscoring the rising military tensions in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)