The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate "Ikazuchi" passed through the Taiwan Strait today. The Ministry of National Defense stated in the evening that the military uses joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods to monitor activities in the sea and air around Taiwan, and can effectively grasp the situation. It had no comment on individual case details.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a Japanese Self-Defense Force vessel entered the Taiwan Strait that day and has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese side. The PLA Eastern Theater Command reported in the evening that the Japanese frigate "Ikazuchi" sailed through the Taiwan Strait from 4:02 AM to 5:50 PM, and the Eastern Theater Command organized sea and air forces to monitor and guard the entire passage.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense commented in the evening that the military is utilizing joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods to monitor sea and air movements around Taiwan, and is able to effectively grasp the situation, while not commenting on the details of individual incidents.
Kyodo News reported in the evening, citing multiple sources familiar with Japan-China relations, that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate "Ikazuchi" sailed through the Taiwan Strait on the 17th. Since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration came to power, this is the first time that a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel has sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
Publicly available information shows that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship "Ikazuchi" (hull number DD-107) is the seventh Murasame-class destroyer, and on this day was likely sailing south through the Taiwan Strait to participate in this year’s U.S.-Philippines "Balikatan" joint military exercise, which will start on the 20th.
Philippine military spokesperson Badiya stated on the 15th that seven countries are expected to participate in this year’s exercise, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand.