Tokyo: Japan has lodged a formal protest with China following the detection of a Chinese research vessel conducting unnotified marine scientific research within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on September 28, 2025.

The incident occurred approximately 379 kilometers west of Amami Oshima, a southern Japanese island. Japan's Coast Guard observed the vessel deploying a wire-like object into the ocean, prompting immediate diplomatic action.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that such activities without Japan's consent are unacceptable. The Chinese vessel departed the area and moved westward about three hours later.

This development adds to ongoing maritime tensions between Japan and China, particularly concerning territorial disputes over the Senkaku Islands in th

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