In order to deal with Chinese government vessels intruding in Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said that it will request a record 60 billion yen be allocated in this year’s second supplementary budget.

The JCG plans to construct three large-size patrol vessels to maintain security in territorial waters surrounding the country, as well as to improve the capabilities of the various patrol boats it uses.

Having been denied territorial rights in the South China Sea, China may increase activities in the East China Sea instead. The JCG aims to establish a seamless nationwide maritime security system. In the event that a large number of Chinese vessels enter waters near the Senkaku Islands, in addition to the dispatch of ships from regional coast guard districts, the JCG decided that it is necessary to increase the number of large-sized cutters nationwide to maintain security in waters around Japan. 

From the middle of this month approximately four Chinese public ships have at the same time entered the contiguous zone or territorial waters around the Senkakus. The figure was around three. The number is on the rise. (Abridged)