Japan’s Destroyer Patrols Taiwan Strait For The 1st Time To Send China A Message

For the first time, Japan's Self-Defense Force destroyer, JS Sazanami, transited the Taiwan Strait on September 25, 2024.

Japan's passage through the sensitive Taiwan Strait sparked criticism from China, which claims the strait and Taiwan as its own.

The JS Sazanami took over 10 hours to complete the passage, moving from the East China Sea to the south.

Following the transit, JS Sazanami joined Australian and New Zealand naval vessels for joint exercises in the South China Sea

Beijing condemned Japan’s actions, claiming they violated the One-China principle and warning against further actions that disrupt Sino-Japanese relations.

Japan is increasing its defense operations as a response to China’s rising military activities, particularly near its airspace.

The transit aligns with broader international efforts, including the U.S., to keep navigation routes open in the Taiwan Strait, a key commercial waterway.