At a meeting between high-ranking officials from Japan and China on oceanic affairs, Japan expressed deep concern about the increased military activities by China and Russia near its shores. The meeting, held in Tokyo on Monday, was held in response to China's military exercises around Taiwan, which were conducted after President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Japan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement protesting China's unsubstantiated claims and called for science-based dialogue.
Japan's Defense Ministry also reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier, Shandong, was seen off Miyakojima, a Japanese island close to Taiwan, between Friday and Sunday, with fighter planes and helicopters taking off and landing from the vessel dozens of times. Japan has set up military bases on some of its southwestern islands to ensure the stability of Taiwan, which is critical to its own security.
During the meeting, Tokyo also voiced strong objections to Beijing's comments regarding plans to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant into the ocean. China has repeatedly condemned the planned discharge, but Japan has maintained that it will not pose any safety risks. The Chinese embassy in Japan responded by demanding that Japan stop any activities that violate its sovereignty and maritime interests and to refrain from interfering in the Taiwan issue.
Despite the differences, the embassy noted that China and Japan agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between their coast guards on law enforcement, search and rescue operations.