Surge in Chinese incursions leaves Japan scrambling on Senkakus

Tokyo weighs how to legally respond, including direct shots at offending vessels

Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force scan their surroundings. Tokyo is considering greater cooperation between the SDF and the Japan Coast Guard on maritime incursions. (Photo courtesy of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

MASAYA KATO, TAKUYA MIZOROGI and JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writers

March 3, 2021 05:47 JST

TOKYO -- The upsurge in Chinese incursions into Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands has sent Japan searching for a response strategy based on law, including a clear rule on when it can fire on foreign vessels.

Official Chinese vessels entered waters surrounding the Japan-administered Senkakus, claimed by China as the Diaoyu, on six separate days in February -- the most in four and a half years.