Japan Confirms China’s Aircraft Carrier Liaoning Sails Near Iwo Jima

Tensions in the Pacific edged higher this week after China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed through waters east of the Japanese island of Iwo Jima for the first time. The move, which took place within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, has drawn close scrutiny from Tokyo, with Japanese officials vowing to increase surveillance in the region.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the development and stated that Japan has already sent “an appropriate message” to Beijing—though he declined to elaborate on the specifics.

Hayashi also noted that the Japanese government would bolster its monitoring efforts and collect necessary intelligence following the carrier’s movements.

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The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported over the weekend that Liaoning was accompanied by several naval vessels as it passed through the area. Fighter jets and helicopters were observed taking off and landing from the carrier in waters southeast of Iwo Jima, a historically significant island located about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) south of Tokyo.

China, for its part, has defended the maneuver. In a press conference held Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian maintained that the voyage was “fully in line with international law and practice.” He emphasized that China adheres to a defensive military posture and urged Japan to view the situation “objectively and rationally.”

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The presence of a Chinese carrier so close to Japanese territory highlights the growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. While China insists its actions are lawful and routine, Japan’s response signals rising unease over what it views as increasing encroachment in sensitive maritime zones.

This latest development underscores the strategic importance of the Western Pacific and the delicate balance of power playing out between major regional actors. As both countries remain locked in a complex mix of diplomacy and rivalry, such movements at sea are likely to remain under intense international scrutiny.