Japanese call for ‘strong stance’ on Chinese intrusions, foreign ministry survey finds

A ministry survey found a majority of Japanese in favour of talking tough on territorial issues and urging China to respect human rights and the rule of law

Japan’s foreign minister has expressed ‘grave concerns’ at the intrusions and called on Beijing to play a responsible role in maintaining peace and security

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A Japanese coastguard ship patrols close to a Chinese marine surveillance vessel, near the disputed Diaoyu Islands, which are called the Senkaku Islands in Japan. Photo: Kyodo News

Published: 3:02pm, 19 May 2022Updated: 6:13pm, 19 May 2022

Nearly two-thirds of Japanese want the country’s government to take a “strong stance” against intrusions by Chinese vessels into waters controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing, according to a new foreign ministry survey.

The survey, conducted in March, found that 61.6 per cent of respondents were in favour of Tokyo adopting such a posture on territorial issues like those surrounding the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan controls and calls the Senkakus.

It also found 57 per cent of the 1,000 respondents surveyed urging China to “respect human rights, freedom, democracy and the rule of law”, with slightly more than 28 per cent calling on Beijing to strengthen cooperation with the international community on important issues affecting the region.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, left, speaks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi via video link. Photo: Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry Handout via Jiji Press and AFP

On Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held a 70-minute video conference with Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart, during which he called on Beijing to play a responsible role in maintaining global peace and security – specifically in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He further expressed his ministry’s “grave concern” at repeated intrusions by Chinese coastguard vessels into waters surrounding the disputed islands in the East China Sea, pointing out that several issues still need to be addressed if “constructive and stable relations” are to be achieved as the two countries mark 50 years since the normalisation of diplomatic ties. Wang, in turn, warned Japan against joining forces with the US.

Numerous reports have emerged already this year of Chinese ships entering Japan’s territorial waters, including two vessels that attempted to approach a Japanese fishing boat operating off the Diaoyu Islands earlier this month.

On Wednesday, two Chinese bombers flew between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island, the Defence Ministry said, exploiting a gap in Japanese airspace. Ministry officials said the aircraft were monitored throughout their circular flight out over the Pacific and back to the East China Sea. Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, which has been carrying out extensive exercises in the area since early May, is also under observation, they said.