Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defence Kazuhiro Kobayashi (left) being given a situational update by a Ground Self-Defence Force member on Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni on Feb 3. - Modjapan_JP/X via ST/ANN
YONAGUNI/NAHA (OKINAWA): A Chinese buoy placed south of Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost point located just 111km from Taiwan, is now a simmering cause of diplomatic friction despite earlier signs of warming ties between Asia’s two largest economies with a flurry of political and business exchanges.
Japan discovered the contentious float, installed without any prior notice, within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in December 2024, and has since been demanding its removal. Within its EEZ, Japan has exclusive rights for activities such as fishing and drilling.
