According to the Defense Ministry and the Japan Coast Guard, 289 Chinese government ships entered the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands in the first three months of this year, up 57% from a year earlier.
As the coronavirus pandemic rages across the world, China's military provocations are continuing, in an apparent attempt to test the readiness of the Japanese side and insist on its "territorial right" to the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
Japan and the United States are working to strengthen their deterrence capabilities through joint exercises.
On April 11, six Chinese ships including aircraft carrier Liaoning and missile destroyers sailed south between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island into the Pacific Ocean, and also sailed around the South China Sea for training exercises.
From January to March, the Air Self-Defense Force's fighter jets were scrambled as many as 152 times to intercept Chinese aircraft suspected of violating Japanese airspace.
"Militarily expansion at a time when countries around the world are working together to contain [the spread of the coronavirus] is impermissible, now more so than ever," Defense Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference on Friday, in harsh criticism of China.
China's military activities have not decreased since January, when coronavirus infections were spreading across the country.
Yoji Koda, a former Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet of Japan, said: "China is also stepping up its activities in the South China Sea with Taiwan in mind. It appears to express an intention that the coronavirus disaster will not weaken past claims, such as its 'territorial right' to the Senkaku Islands."
The U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, which is deployed in the Pacific Ocean, was hit by a mass outbreak of the coronavirus. For the time being, the SDF will not conduct drills in which multiple units exchange personnel to prevent the spread of infections.
Japan and the United States are increasingly concerned about China's provocations under such circumstances.
On Wednesday, 15 ASDF fighter jets, including F-15s, and five U.S. aircraft including a B-1 strategic bomber conducted training exercises over the Sea of Japan and around Okinawa Prefecture. In the East China Sea, the MSDF destroyer Akebono and the U.S. amphibious assault ship America conducted a joint drill on April 10 and 11 to demonstrate their readiness in the surrounding waters.
In a telephone conversation between Kono and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday night, the two leaders reportedly discussed issues related to the new coronavirus, and how to respond to China's provocations.
"China is trying to measure the readiness of Japan and the United States. If we fail to respond because of the infectious disease, it will play into the hands of China. Strengthening cooperation between Japan and the United States is essential," a senior Defense Ministry official said.
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