US EditionJapan protests China gas drilling in East China Sea
Japan lodged a diplomatic protest after confirming China’s unilateral development of a new gas field near the median line, violating a 2008 joint-development agreement.
- On January 8, 2026, Japan lodged a diplomatic protest after confirming a Chinese mobile drilling vessel had been moored and anchored on its side of the Japan-China median line in the East China Sea, with the Japan Coast Guard issuing a navigation warning on Jan 2.
- Boundaries of the EEZ and continental shelf in the East China Sea remain undetermined, and Tokyo says about 20 unauthorized structures believed to be foundations for gas development facilities have been confirmed so far, despite the 2008 joint development agreement.
- On Tuesday, Beijing imposed restrictions on `dual-use exports` to Japan and the Chinese Commerce Ministry launched an investigation into decreased dichlorosilane imports used in computer chip manufacturing.
- Japan demanded China rescind export measures as relations strain after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, with diplomatic channels scarce and no off-ramp in sight.
- With the long history of antagonism, Sebastian Maslow warns that de-escalation may be harder this time, raising regional security implications amid U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
33 Articles
33 Articles
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Japan objects to China's gas drilling in East China Sea amid maritime dispute
Japan has protested China’s deployment of a gas drilling vessel in the East China Sea, citing unresolved maritime boundaries and warning against unilateral resource development amid already strained bilateral ties
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