{"id":2468,"date":"2025-02-28T00:00:22","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T15:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/?page_id=2468"},"modified":"2025-03-04T14:56:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T05:56:25","slug":"vol-16-february-28-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-16-february-28-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol.16, February 28, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"l-post-content\">\n<style>\nbody {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\nh1, h2, h3, h4, th, td, p, div {\n    font-family: \"Helvetica\", sans-serif;\n}\ntable tr, table th, table td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n    font-weight: normal;\n}\n.c-table, .l-post-content table, #tinymce.post-type-post table, #tinymce.post-type-page table, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-research table, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\n.c-table > thead > tr > th, .l-post-content table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > thead > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > th, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > td, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\nhr, .hr {\n    border: none;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #000;\n    margin-left: 0;\n    margin-right: 0;\n    max-width: none;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n}\ncenter {\n    word-break: break-all;\n}\ncenter .table-base {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    height: 100%;\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\ncenter .table-inner {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    border: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 600px;\n}\ncenter img {\n    max-height: 240px;\n    width: auto;\n}\ncenter ul {\n    display: block;\n}\ncenter li {\n    display: block;\n}\n.table-box {\n    width: 100%;\n    overflow-x: auto;<\/p>\n<p>}\n.table-box table {\n    width: 100%;\n    display: block;\n}\n<\/style>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"max-width:450.0pt;border-collapse:collapse; background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;background:cover no-repeat rgb(255,255,255)\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width:100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;min-width:100%\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse;min-width:100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;min-width:100%\">\n<h1 align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:25.2pt\"><span style=\"font-size:18.0pt;color:#202020\">Vol.16, February 28, 2025<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information<br \/>\n on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">Monthly Column<br \/>\n<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">by<br \/>\n<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">Yoji KODA<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">Former Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">Outlook of the Current Situation<br \/>\n<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">in the East China Sea and South China Sea Areas<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Due to the recent fierce and prolonged armed conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, as well as the effects of the &#8220;Trump 2.0&#8221; U.S. Administration, China\u2019s coercive and self-righteous<br \/>\n maneuvers in East China Sea (ECS) and South China Seas (SCS) have been attracting less attention than in the past.&nbsp; However, China is cleverly taking advantage of weaker concerns over maritime issues in the SCS and ECS, and it has been steadily expanding its<br \/>\n willful and aggressive maneuvers in the two seas.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">South China Sea<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">In the SCS, to say nothing of its self-righteous claim of territory within the &#8220;Nine-Dashed Lines&#8221;, and related hard maneuvers based on that claim, China has started finger-pointing<br \/>\n at the Republic of the Philippines (the Philippines) over maritime issues.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">China is taking a harder position toward the Philippines over several disputed coral atolls, rocks and shoals than before. Especially, China&#8217;s deployment of coast guard (CCG)<br \/>\n cutters to block supply operations to the Philippines&#8217; controlled 2nd Thomas Shoal. CCG cutters use water-cannon bombardment and ramming tactics against Philippine boats which provide supplies to a small unit of the Philippine Marines stationed at the shoal.<br \/>\n Due to China\u2019s unprofessionally dangerous maneuvers, serious damages and injuries among the Philippines CG personnel and boats have been reported.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp; In addition to 2nd Thomas Shoal, China has been pursuing ruthless tactics against Philippine CG<br \/>\n ships and fishing boats at the disputed Scarborough Atoll &#8212; which is in the Philippines\u2019 EEZ but under China\u2019s practical control. Several eye-to-eye, stare-down-type maneuvers, accompanied by occasional physical collisions between the cutters of each CG have<br \/>\n occurred. These incidents have the potential to escalate into a larger, head-on clash between the armed forces of the two nations.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp; In order to ease the current stressful relations between the Philippines and China, several diplomatic<br \/>\n dialogues were conducted, and both parties reached basic agreements to prevent further incidents from happening. However, contrary to general expectations, maritime confrontations between the two CG units still continue, and tensions in the SCS are getting<br \/>\n even worse than before.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp; Other things that should not be overlooked are China\u2019s attempts to willfully influence regional\/coastal<br \/>\n nations around the SCS. China craftily and stealthily approaches some coastal nations, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, using all possible measures.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">East China Sea<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">With regard to the ECS, China\u2019s assertive activities over the Senkaku Islands, backed by aggressive force-building of CCG cutters and aircraft, looks to be an everlasting challenge<br \/>\n to Japan. CCG deployed two cutters around the Senkakus in 2020. Thereafter, CCG started increasing the number of cutters deployed to Senkakus to about three during 2021~2023. Finally, four cutters were deployed in 2024 &#8212; as a standardized composition of a<br \/>\n CCG \u201cSenkakus Task Group&#8221;.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">There are several noteworthy episodes involving China\u2019s deployments around the Senkakus. The first is the employment of the world&#8217;s largest CG cutters, e.g., the 12,000-ton,<br \/>\n 165-meter, ZHAOTOU-Class cutter (Type 2901), which carries two helicopters. Another is the fact that all of the deployed cutters are now equipped with either a 35~40mm gun or a larger 76mm gun.&nbsp; This is a striking change from 2020~2023. During that time, there<br \/>\n was only one armed-cutter in a deployed CCG group. Last but not least is the China\u2019s intention regarding the Senkakus. Judging from the changes to China\u2019s CCG cutter deployment patterns after 2020, it seems to have set up a policy of keeping four cutters around<br \/>\n Senkaku for 365 days\/year, except during an extremely rough typhoon in the fall. In this context, China deployed four cutters to the area for about 360 days in 2024.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">All of these Chinese actions are proof of China\u2019s intent to keep uninterrupted political and psychological pressures on Japan, and to weaken Japanese determination to protect<br \/>\n the Senkakus. However, Japan is taking a clear position to protect its sovereignty over the Senkakus from China\u2019s crafty operations by using all means.<br \/>\n<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Today, depending on situations, Japan is keeping three to five Japan CG (JCG) cutters deployed to Senkaku waters throughout a year to prevent China\u2019s adventurism.&nbsp; In order<br \/>\n to realize this national objective, the Government of Japan (GOJ) has been strengthening JCG\u2019s capability. About 10 new and large cutters are assigned to JCG\u2019s 11th District at Ishigaki Island, which is responsible for Senkaku operations. In addition to this,<br \/>\n a new JCG base, with the same number of JCG cutters, and is capable of supporting full-scale operations around Senkakus, became operational at Kagoshima. A new JCG airbase is also in active status in Fukuoka Prefecture. Both bases are located Japan\u2019s westmost<br \/>\n main island of Kyushu.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp; Another concern is illegal transit of PLAN\u2019s survey\/intelligence-ships within Japan\u2019s territorial<br \/>\n waters west of Kuchi-no-Erabu-Jima Island (Tokara Strait, This is not \u201cStraits used for international navigation\u201d), off the coast of southern Kyushu. China\u2019s position on this issue is that these ships have exercised the right of &#8220;Transit Passage&#8221; under UNCLOS.<br \/>\n However, Chinese ships should instead use Osumi Strait, which has international water transit lanes and is located nearby Kuchi-no-Erabu-Jima. So, GOJ strongly opposes China\u2019s position of Transit Passage. This is a clear violation of UNCLOS and Japan\u2019s territorial<br \/>\n sovereignty. <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Japan\u2019s Courses of Action against China\u2019s Assertive Maritime Maneuvers<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:10.5pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">The abovementioned maritime actions of China have been subjects of serious concern for the security of Japan and the region.&nbsp; Below is a list of recommended courses of action<br \/>\n for GOJ to counter China\u2019s assertive maritime maneuvers.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left:5.25pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">a. GOJ should get rid of current excessive-consideration toward China and take clear policies to counter China\u2019s crafty activities in the region.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left:5.25pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">b. GOJ should depart from current \u201cdiplomatic protest only\u201d policy to China and start to make reciprocal and proportional activities against China\u2019s self-righteous maneuvers<br \/>\n that ignore UNCLOS.&nbsp; Some examples would be: Japanese ships conduct transit operations in Taiwan strait whenever CCG cutters intrude into Senkakus waters or PLAN ships transit through Japan\u2019s territorial waters south of Kyushu.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">c. GOJ should conduct Japanese &#8220;Freedom of Navigation Operations&#8221; in the SCS.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left:5.25pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">d. GOJ should conduct large scale Japan-U.S. military exercises to match future high-end combat\/war with foreign nation(s).<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left:5.25pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">e. GOJ should help regional nations\u2019 capacity building of their sea-powers and strengthen intelligence-sharing networks that cover all of the SCS and ECS.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;text-align:center;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;text-align:center;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:15.0pt;color:#202020\">Statistical Data and Analysis<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;color:black\">(as of February 27)<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:11.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Chinese and Russian vessels and aircrafts continue to be active in the waters and airspace surrounding Japan and East Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:11.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Chinese Coast Guard vessels continue to operate in the waters around Senkaku Islands, entering in Japanese contiguous zone for about 100 consecutive<br \/>\n days. On February 12, an intrusion into Japanese territorial water was also confirmed. This is the second time this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:11.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">A Russian intelligence-gathering vessel has been navigating relentlessly in close to Japan&#8217;s territorial waters. It has been confirmed that<br \/>\n this vessel has been continuously navigating Japanese contiguous zone off Okinawa, Miyazaki, and Nagasaki prefectures. The persistent harassment is attracting a great deal of attention, as well as the question of where the military objectives lie.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent:11.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">In the South China Sea, Chinese aircrafts have conducted \u201cunsafe and unprofessional\u201d actions and \u201cdangerous flight maneuvers\u201d against Australian<br \/>\n and Philippines\u2019s aircrafts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black;background:yellow\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black;background:yellow\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">[Statistical Data as of February 27]<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020;background:yellow\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:30.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard (JCG) daily updates the statistical data on the number of China Coast Guard vessels entering in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands<br \/>\n and intruding into Japanese territorial waters. The below is from the website of JCG.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(<\/span><\/u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466389000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ueuZWMJKglWU0vYEmresB\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color:#0563c1\">https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/<wbr>mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html<\/span><\/a><\/span><u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">)<\/span><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><span style=\"text-decoration:none\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Feb.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190259379\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Contiguous zone<\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Territorial<br \/>\nsea<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Feb.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Contiguous zone<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">Territorial<br \/>\n<br \/>\nsea<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">21<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">23<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">24<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">26<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">27<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">28<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span style=\"color:black\">\u3000<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">20<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><span style=\"text-decoration:none\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><span style=\"text-decoration:none\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Date<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:12.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Topics<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/12<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190789338\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)) confirmed one Russian naval vessel, Vishnya class intelligence ship (hull number 535), sailing northwest 40 km south of Danjyo-Guntou<br \/>\n Islands (Nagasaki Prefecture) on February 10. Then JMSDF confirmed this vessel cruising northeast in the waters including Japanese contiguous zone north of Torishima Island (Nagasaki Prefecture), and sailing northeast to the Sea of Japan through the Tsusima<br \/>\n Strait from February 10 to 11.<\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><img border=\"0\" id=\"m_4263335738748641689m_3643827829646687174_x0000_i1038\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image001.png\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp; <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466389000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ja9qxcettbHredLsXGtXo\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250212_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:12.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)) confirmed one Russian naval vessel, Vishnya class intelligence ship (hull number 535), sailing northwest 40 km south of Danjyo-Guntou Islands (Nagasaki<br \/>\n Prefecture) on February 10. Then JMSDF confirmed this vessel cruising northeast in the waters including Japanese contiguous zone north of Torishima Island (Nagasaki Prefecture), and sailing northeast to the Sea of Japan through the Tsusima Strait from February<br \/>\n 10 to 11.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><img border=\"0\" id=\"m_4263335738748641689m_3643827829646687174_x0000_i1037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image002.png\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp; <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw13rAPE5dskQLOp2ZDYztV5\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250212_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">JMSDF has confirmed one Chinese<br \/>\n<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190787478\"><\/a><a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190788031\"><span>Luyang III<\/span><\/a><span><br \/>\n<\/span>class destroyer (hull number 155), one<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190788087\"> <\/a><a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190787535\"><span>Jangkai II<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a>class frigate (hull number 577) and one <a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190788120\">Fuchi<\/a> class replenishment oilers (hull number 886) sailing southeast in the waters 140km northeast of Miyakojima Island on February 10. JMSDF then confirmed these three vessels sailing<br \/>\n southeast in the waters between<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk191040288\"> the main island of Okinawa<\/a> and Miyakojima Island to the Pacific Ocean from February 10 to 11.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">JMSDF has also confirmed one Chinese Luyang III class destroyer (hull number 134), one Jangkai II class frigate (hull number 530), one<br \/>\n<a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190787633\">Yuzhao<\/a> class LPD (hull number 986) and one <a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk190787680\"><br \/>\nYushen<\/a> class LHD (hull number 33) sailing southeast in the waters 150km northeast of Miyakojima Island on February 11. JMSDF then confirmed thses four vessels sailing southeast in the waters between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island to the<br \/>\n Pacific Ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><img border=\"0\" id=\"m_4263335738748641689m_3643827829646687174_x0000_i1036\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image003.png\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp; <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_02.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0zT8w0kyODPANAhdM4Kpwn\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250212_02.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff confirmed ond Russian IL-20 ELINT flying from the continent into the Sea of Japan on February 12. This aircraft flew southwest over the Sea of Japan, turned at the area off<br \/>\n Cape Kyougamisaki (Kyoto Prefecture) and flew back to the continent. Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled to this Russian aircraft.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><img border=\"0\" id=\"m_4263335738748641689m_3643827829646687174_x0000_i1035\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image004.png\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250212_03.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0S3eyOq16AgPGT-Eil3fZq\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250212_03.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0mm;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Monthly Statistics on Scrambles<\/span><span style=\"color:#202020\">\uff08<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">January<\/span><span style=\"color:#202020\">\uff09<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:12.0pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;Japan Joint Staff released its monthly statistics on scrambles. In January, Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) conducted 48 scrambles. The most scrambles are against Chinese aircrafts (35<br \/>\n times; the rest were against Russian aircrafts).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250213_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250213_02.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2VVKRDHqYwCaURg_Om_jIm\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250213_02.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Press Release by Japan Coast Guard<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard (JCG) will dispatch an aircraft to the Republic of Djibouti and Malaysia from February 21 to 28 for anti-piracy operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">In Djibouti, the JCG will conduct training in case it becomes necessary to escort pirates to Japan, and exchange opinions and information with the Djibouti government authorities to further<br \/>\n deepen coordination and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">In the waters surrounding Southeast Asia, the JCG will conduct maritime patrols on the high seas and make a stopover in Malaysia to cooperate with maritime security agencies of ASEAN countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Through these activities, we will contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Coast Guard)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:12.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/info\/kouhou\/r7\/k250214_2\/k250214_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/info\/kouhou\/r7\/k250214_2\/k250214_2.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zKYPIU8dmLvrcLny9uSJP\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/<wbr>info\/kouhou\/r7\/k250214_2\/<wbr>k250214_2.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Australia says a Chinese fighter jet has released flares &#8220;in close proximity to&#8221; an Australian air force maritime patrol aircraft over the South China Sea. It says both the aircraft and its<br \/>\n crew were unharmed.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Australia&#8217;s defense department made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">It said the incident occurred on Tuesday, when the Australian aircraft was conducting routine surveillance over the waters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">The department described the Chinese maneuver as &#8220;unsafe and unprofessional.&#8221; It said it &#8220;has expressed its concerns to the Chinese government.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a news conference on Thursday that the Australian plane violated China&#8217;s sovereignty by deliberately intruding into its airspace over<br \/>\n the South China Sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Guo said, &#8220;The Chinese side took legitimate, lawful, professional and restrained measures to expel&#8221; the Australian plane. He added, &#8220;China has lodged serious protests with Australia.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">The Australian defense department also announced that a Chinese navy task group is operating to the northeast of Australia. It said the group consisted of a frigate, a cruiser and a replenishment<br \/>\n vessel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">The department released two photographs it says show the Chinese frigate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Australian defense minister Richard Marles noted that he has ordered the deployment of navy and air force assets to make sure that Australian forces are &#8220;shadowing&#8221; the Chinese group and &#8220;have<br \/>\n a clear understanding of what&#8217;s going on.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">NHK World (English)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:12.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20250214_01\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20250214_01\/index.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LTsEiufmVli-ZRFIANebc\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/<wbr>nhkworld\/en\/news\/20250214_01\/<wbr>index.html<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:24.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">On February 16, Taiwan&#8217;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Canadian navy frigate \u201cOttawa\u201d had passed through the Taiwan Strait. It welcomed the passage, saying, \u201cCanada has shown<br \/>\n its firm determination to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait\u201d. This is the first time this year that a Canadian vessel has passed through the Taiwan Strait. Two U.S. naval vessels also passed through the strait between February 10 and 12 for<br \/>\n the first time since the inauguration of the Trump administration.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:24.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Meanwhile, Taiwan&#8217;s Ministry of National Defense announced that they confirmed 24 Chinese aircrafts including fighters and AWACS being active in the areas surrounding Taiwan since the morning<br \/>\n of <a name=\"m_4263335738748641689_m_3643827829646687174__Hlk191036769\">February 16.<\/a> 18 of these aircrafts crossed the median line. It is possible that these activities were aimed at deterring Canadian vessels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">JIJI News (Japanese)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;text-indent:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sp.m.jiji.com\/article\/show\/3450054\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/sp.m.jiji.com\/article\/show\/3450054&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw35oOuH-rJHk6g5_8dVSNW7\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/sp.m.jiji.com\/article\/<wbr>show\/3450054<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Taiwan&#8217;s Ministry of National Defense announced on February 17 that they confirmed 41 Chinese aircrafts including fighters and AWACS as well as 9 military vessels and one government vessel<br \/>\n being active in the areas surrounding Taiwan in the 24 hours before 6:00 a.m. (local time) on February 17. 28 of these aircrafts crossed the median line and entered Taiwan&#8217;s air defense identification zone.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Sankei Shimbun (Japanese)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:12.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp; <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/article\/20250217-VZNONTMWYZIB5HKOMGQVPP5OTE\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/article\/20250217-VZNONTMWYZIB5HKOMGQVPP5OTE\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0kfg8Ys1XC5v7VKRGKSKuF\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/<wbr>article\/20250217-<wbr>VZNONTMWYZIB5HKOMGQVPP5OTE\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">JMSDF confirmed one Russian naval vessel, Vishnya class intelligence ship (hull number 535), sailing southwest 70 km northeast of Tsushima Islands (Nagasaki Prefecture) on February 16. Then<br \/>\n JMSDF confirmed this vessel sailing southwest to the East China Sea through the Tsusima Strait from February 16 to 17.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><img border=\"0\" id=\"m_4263335738748641689m_3643827829646687174\u56f3_x0020_10\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image005.png\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">(Source: Japan Joint Staff)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">______________________________<wbr>__________<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:6.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp; <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250217_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20250217_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1741150466390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1kICRY2toEOZwUUOjiHXCP\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20250217_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">2\/18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japanese government has decided to dispatch a Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office to the \u201cTakeshima Day\u201d ceremony to be held on February 22 under the auspices of Shimane Prefecture<br \/>\n and other organizations.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Shimane Prefecture has designated February 22, the day Takeshima came under the prefecture&#8217;s jurisdiction in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), as \u201cTakeshima Day\u201d by ordinance, and holds a ceremony<br \/>\n every year, the 20th time this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">For this year&#8217;s ceremony, Japanese government will dispatch Eriko Imai, Parliamentary Vice-Minister in charge of territorial issues in the Cabinet Office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:#202020\">Japanese government has been sending a Parliamentary Vice-Minister to the ceremony since the second Abe Cabinet to clearly show Japan&#8217;s position on Takeshima, and this year will be the 13th<br \/>\n consecutive year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0mm;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:18.0pt;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/center>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Newsletter Registration<\/h3>\n<p>What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/p>\n<div class=\"u-mbs is-top mw-400\">\n  <a class=\"c-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/CiMT6bWdHrryT8mM6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Registration Form<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vol.16, February 28, 2025 What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory. &nbsp; Monthly Column by &nbsp; Yoji KODA Former Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force &nbsp; &nbsp; Outlook of the Current Situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea Areas &nbsp; &nbsp; &hellip; <span>More<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2309,"menu_order":29,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Vol.16, February 28, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u300cVol.16, February 28, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. 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