Sulfur Island in the Nanpo archipelago, administered by Tokyo.
China’s Luyang III-class destroyer has conducted live-fire drills within Japan’s EEZ near Okinotori, while Russia’s presence and joint patrols with China are drawing concern from Tokyo. Officials say the drills, observed during a China-Russia exercise, underscore deepening military cooperation in the region. Authorities are monitoring moves around Japan’s waters and airspace.
Japan has adopted a 598-page defense paper, asserting China as its top strategic challenge and detailing plans to boost defense production, develop coastal drones, and deploy long-range missiles amid rising Pacific tensions.