September 15, 2022
TOKYO – The Defense Ministry said Tuesday that two Luyang II-class missile destroyers of the Chinese Navy passed through the contiguous zone northeastward between Amami-Oshima island and Yokoatejima island, both in Kagoshima Prefecture, and sailed in the Pacific Ocean.
According to the ministry, the vessels were sailing eastward about 60 kilometers west-northwest of Amami-Oshima island at about 2 p.m. Monday and they later passed through the contiguous zone — a 22-kilometer strip outside of Japan’s territorial waters.
A Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel stood on alert against the ships.
There was no intrusion into territorial waters, the ministry said.