East China Sea

India and Japan expressed serious concern over the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, opposing unilateral actions that endanger freedom of navigation and attempts to change the status quo by force. China warned that India-Japan ties should not target a third party.

Japan and South Korea scrambled fighter jets in response to a joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol. The patrol covered the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and western Pacific, with China stating it demonstrated resolve to safeguard regional stability. This marks the 11th such patrol since 2019 and the first this year.

Beijing's coastguard conducted its first independent law enforcement patrol east of Taiwan in response to Japan-Philippines maritime border talks, expanding its patrolled area beyond traditional regions. The China Coast Guard (CCG) has routinely patrolled the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea since 2021, including areas around Taiwan-controlled islands.

Japan's defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi rejected China's accusation of reviving militarism during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, stating that defense strategy changes would enable a cooperative role. He opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force, referencing China's maritime activities in the East and South China Seas.

Japan and the Philippines have elevated their relationship and agreed to discuss a military intelligence sharing agreement amid rising regional tensions over Chinese military activity. Japan may sell weapons to the Philippines for the first time since lifting its export ban, as both nations seek to counter China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Japan protested China's construction of a new structure in the East China Sea. A trilateral maritime exercise involving Japan, the Philippines, and the US took place from June 1 to 7, 2023, in the South China Sea, focusing on law enforcement training and maneuvering drills.