The Defense Ministry announced Monday that a total of 10 Chinese and Russian destroyers and other vessels had passed through the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido. There was no intrusion into Japan's territorial waters. This is the first time that vessels of Chinese and Russian fleets have been confirmed sailing through the strait at the same time.
According to the ministry's Joint Staff, five Chinese and five Russian vessels were spotted in the sea about 110 kilometers southwest of Okushiri Island in Hokkaido at around 8 a.m. Monday. The 10 vessels then proceeded eastward and passed through the strait into the Pacific Ocean.
The Russian military has been conducting exercises in the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, and the Chinese vessels are believed to have participated in them.
The ministry is analyzing the intentions of both countries.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
