Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Changing the subject, the Ministry of Defense has announced that four Chinese warships passed through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima. Please tell us about the Government's current understanding of and reaction to this event.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will briefly explain the facts. According to the Ministry of Defense, on February 3 around 9am, four frigate ships of the Chinese Navy passed through the waters about 100-130 kilometers northeast of Miyakojima, sailing from the East China Sea and heading toward the Pacific Ocean. The ships were not confirmed to have engaged in any dangerous actions such as proximity flights by carrier-borne helicopters or any other actions in violation of international law. As such, it was not confirmed that they entered Japan's territorial waters. I have heard that there was no action at all in violation of international law.

(Abridged)