Japan’s Maritime Safety Agency chief Takahiro Okushima announced at a press conference on Wednesday that Japan will “not rule out the use of weapons to the extent permitted by international law and in accordance with legal principles” as a response to the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands (known as the Diaoyu Islands in China) in light of the implementation of the Marine Police Act, which authorizes the use of weapons by the Chinese side. The report was published by Kyodo News.
According to Kyodo News, Article 20 of Japan’s Maritime Security Agency Law stipulates the conditions for the use of weapons by maritime security personnel, which applies to the Law on the Execution of Police Officers’ Duties, and that weapons may be used to the extent reasonable and necessary if there are proper grounds for arresting a prisoner and preventing his or her escape. In response to the Chinese marine police ships in the “Marine Police Law” after the implementation of the continuous entry into the Senkaku Islands around the territorial waters of Japan, Oshima Takahiro stressed the same day, so far no major changes in the movement of Chinese marine police ships, but The Japanese side will remain vigilant to do everything possible.
The report said that China’s move to enter Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands (known as the Diaoyu Islands in China) by Chinese official ships after the implementation of the Marine Police Law, which allows the authorities to use weapons against foreign ships, reflects China’s attempt to accelerate its maritime activities against the backdrop of national power. Although the Japanese government has protested and stepped up its vigilance, the Japanese side is considering obtaining U.S. support to confront the Chinese side as it is difficult for Japan alone to fully counteract the situation.
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