Japan’s naval destroyer JS Sazanami has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, marking the first time a Japanese warship has transited the area, according to Japanese media reports. The vessel, accompanied by ships from Australia and New Zealand, navigated the strait from north to south on Wednesday, en route to military exercises in the South China Sea.
This development is significant as Japan has traditionally refrained from such maneuvers to avoid escalating tensions with China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and the strait itself. While neither Japan, Taiwan, nor China has officially commented on the passage, Chinese state media reported that the military monitored the vessels throughout their transit.
The Taiwan Strait is crucial for international shipping, with approximately half of the global container fleet passing through it. The United States and its allies have increased naval patrols in the area to assert their right to freedom of navigation, countering China’s expansive maritime claims. Recently, naval vessels from Canada, Germany, and other nations have also traversed the strait, signaling a shift in regional naval dynamics.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary acknowledged heightened military tensions, citing increased Chinese airspace violations. Experts note that Japan’s action reflects broader concerns about China’s maritime assertiveness and its “grey zone” tactics in the region. As geopolitical tensions rise, the leaders of the Quad nations—Japan, Australia, India, and the US—have pledged to enhance cooperation on maritime security.
