Below are the excerpts from the comments by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga regarding the incidents in which Chinese fighter jet flew excessively close to Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) aircraft over the high sea of the East China Sea at the press conferences on June 12 and 13, 2014.

REPORTER:
While I understand that the Government has already protested to the Chinese side regarding the incidents, can you tell us about the Government’s response hereafter? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:
First, at around 11 am and noon on June 11, the Chinese military fighter jet flew excessively close to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft and the Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft in the airspace over the high sea of the East China Sea. An incident occurred just recently, on May 24 in which a Chinese fighter jet flew excessively　close to JSDF aircraft, and on that occasion also we lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences through diplomatic channels. The Government of Japan deeply deplores and is intolerant of the reoccurrence of a similar incident despite our protest. We lodged a strong protest again over the reoccurrence of a similar incident and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences, so that extremely dangerous activities that could lead to an unexpected accident in the sea or airspace in the vicinity of Japan should not be repeated.  

REPORTER:
Yesterday the Chinese authorities made public a photograph and video of the JSDF aircraft saying it had flown unusually close to their aircraft. What is the view of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:
Firstly, the Government is confident that airspace anti-intrusion measures conducted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) were in accordance with Article 84 of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Act and were conducted appropriately within the scope of international law. In my opinion, there is no truth to the assertions made by China that JASDF aircraft approached Chinese aircraft to a distance of 30 meters and had a serious impact on safety. Whatever the case, from the perspective of firmly protecting Japan's territorial land, waters, and airspace, Japan will continue to engage thoroughly in warning and surveillance activities in the sea or airspace in the vicinity of Japan. We will also implement strict airspace anti-intrusion measures in accordance with international law and the SDF Act. The dangerous maneuvers conducted by the Chinese fighter jet that Japan protest about include the Chinese fighter jet’s dangerous maneuvers, such as coming up from behind and passing by at very high speeds, or suddenly cutting across the flight path of JSDF aircraft. These maneuvers are unthinkable under normal circumstances and this is the one of the reasons why we make a protest. The order to scramble JASDF aircraft is made appropriately, based on the SDF Act. There is absolutely no truth to the allegations that JASDF aircraft closed in to a distance of 30 meters to the Chinese aircraft and the Government will lodge a strong protest to China about such allegations. Given that China recognizes the danger of unexpected incidents occurring in this airspace, the Government will also call strongly on China once again to initiate operation of the maritime communication mechanism between defense authorities as early as possible.

REPORTER:
Has the Government made a protest against China concerning the publication  of the video images?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Ministry of National Defense of China  uploaded a video on its website, claiming the video is proof that a Japanese fighter jet closed in to a distance of 30 meters on a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft. In response to this claim, the Government has lodged a protest, noting that there is absolutely no truth to such allegations and the assertions of the Chinese side are totally without the fact of the matter.

REPORTER:
Could you tell us at what level the protest were made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:
Firstly, the Government has lodged a protest demanding that the video uploaded without any basis in fact to be taken down. This protest was made at 11 pm on June 12, from the Director of the First China and Mongolia Division to a Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.