TOKYO: Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs OKANO Masataka summoned Chinese Charge d’Affaires Shi Yong on Tuesday to protest the intrusion of a Chinese Military Reconnaissance Plane into Japan’s Territorial Airspace.

Japan says a Chinese Y-9 military reconnaissance plane intruded into Japan’s territorial airspace for approximately two minutes above the Danjo-gunto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry says Okano issued “a very severe protest” concerning the incident to Shi, strongly urging the government of China to ensure that similar acts are not repeated.

Japan expressed “serious concern” over repeated intrusions in the region, “which increase regional tensions in the South China Sea.”

The Foreign Ministry statement added: “The issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, and therefore Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.”

“Japan also steadfastly opposes the dangerous and coercive use of vessels of Coast Guard and maritime militia as well as aircrafts.”

Japan praised the Philippines for its position relating to its territorial issues in the South China Sea and for complying with international law in solving disputes, suggesting that China was not doing likewise.

It added: “The Arbitral Tribunal is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”