Japan, a United States Ally in the Indo-Pacific Region, Sends Warship Through Contested Waters

Japan’s Action in the Taiwan Strait

In early February, Japan, a key ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, reportedly deployed a warship to the Taiwan Strait, a contested waterway that lies between China and the self-governed island of Taiwan. This move has drawn significant attention as it comes amid heightened tensions in the region. The Japanese military has not yet responded to requests for comment, and both the Chinese and Taiwanese defense ministries have been contacted by Newsweek for their perspectives on the matter. This development underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Taiwan Strait, a waterway of profound strategic importance.

Why It Matters

The Taiwan Strait, which is approximately 110 miles wide, serves as a critical maritime link between the East China Sea and the South China Sea. China has long asserted its "sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction" over this strait, even though the area is also claimed by Taiwan. The issue is further complicated by the fact that China has ongoing territorial disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a nation’s sovereignty extends only up to 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Beyond that, the waters are considered international, and the freedom of navigation is guaranteed under international law.

The United States and its allies, including Japan, have been conducting naval exercises in the Taiwan Strait to assert this principle of free navigation in international waters. These actions are seen as a challenge to China’s claims and an effort to maintain the status quo in the region. The deployment of a Japanese warship through the strait is the latest in a series of moves that reflect the deepening collaboration between the U.S. and its allies in the Indo-Pacific to counterbalance China’s growing influence.

What to Know

Citing a government source in Tokyo, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency reported that the Japanese destroyer JS Akizuki transited the Taiwan Strait following a joint naval exercise on February 5 in the South China Sea. This exercise involved the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines. This marked the second time a Japanese warship has passed through the strait since September 2024, when another destroyer, JS Sazanami, navigated the waterway alongside Australian and New Zealand vessels. Notably, this was the first time a Japanese warship had done so since the end of World War II, signaling a significant shift in Japan’s maritime strategy.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reportedly made the final decision regarding the Akizuki‘s passage through the Taiwan Strait. A Japanese government official described this move as a "political message" aimed at countering increased Chinese naval activities near Japan’s southwestern islands. While it is unclear whether China responded militarily to the Akizuki‘s transit, there are reports that Chinese air and naval forces monitored and tracked a Canadian frigate, HMCS Ottawa, in the strait earlier in February.

What People Are Saying

The U.S. and Japan have recently intensified their military cooperation in the region. A joint leaders’ statement issued on February 7 emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, describing it as "an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community." The statement also expressed support for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion.

On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has been critical of what he described as the misuse of the term "international waters" to justify military transits through the Taiwan Strait. In a press conference on June 13, 2022, Wang stated, "There is no legal basis of ‘international waters’ in the international law of the sea. It is a false claim when certain countries call the Taiwan Strait ‘international waters’ in order to find a pretext for manipulating issues related to Taiwan and threatening China’s sovereignty and security."

What Happens Next

As tensions in the Indo-Pacific region continue to rise, Japan, the U.S., and other Washington allies are likely to persist in their naval transits through the Taiwan Strait as a demonstration of support for Taiwan and a commitment to upholding international maritime law. At the same time, China is expected to closely monitor these activities and may respond by increasing its military presence in the region or taking other countermeasures. The situation highlights the delicate balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and the potential for escalating tensions between China and the U.S.-led alliance.

The deployment of the JS Akizuki through the Taiwan Strait serves as a clear indication of Japan’s growing role in regional security dynamics. This move also raises questions about how China will respond to these actions and whether it will lead to further militarization of the strait. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor the reactions of all parties involved and the potential implications for regional stability.