Japan says it detected Chinese surfaced submarines, warships near southern Okinawa islands

Japan says China subs, warships came near Okinawa

TOKYO — Japan’s defense minister said Tuesday that Tokyo is investigating an incident in which two Chinese submarines and several warships were spotted in international waters off the southern island of Okinawa.

“We are now conducting a detailed analysis, and will decide on our response after a thorough investigation, including whether there was any intent toward this country or not,” Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said.

Encounters between China’s growing military and the Japanese navy have increased in the waters between the two countries in recent years. The two governments both lay claim to valuable undersea gas deposits in the region, which they have agreed to jointly develop.

A ministry spokeswoman said there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area since November 2008. She asked to remain anonymous, citing department policy.

The latest case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines, triggering the investigation. The group of ships were observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Last week, a Chinese helicopter came within about 300 feet (90 meters) of Japanese military monitoring vessel that was in the vicinity of a China naval exercise, the spokeswoman said.

Tokyo has asked for an explanation of that incident through diplomatic channels and has been told its request is being considered, she said.

The southern Okinawan islands also have several large U.S. military bases. More than half of the 47,000 U.S. troops in Japan under a security pact are hosted on the islands.