Brewing Conflict in Asia

Japan sends jets to intercept Chinese plane over disputed islands

Tokyo has sent fighter jets to escort a Chinese plane that flew close to disputed islands, a Japanese Defence Ministry spokesman said. Japanese fighters were mobilized at 12:00 pm local time after a Chinese maritime aircraft ended up 120 kilometres north of the Senkaku islands, which China calls the Diaoyus.

The Y-12 twin-turboprop did not enter Japanese airspace over the islands, the ministry said. This was the first time this year that Japan sent its airforce to protect its interest over the islands in the East China Sea. Confrontations have become more tense since the dispute escalated in September last year.