Japan criticises ‘unacceptable’ airspace violation by Chinese military plane

A Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane which violated Japanese airspace above Danjo Island (Japanese ministry of defence via AP/PA)

A Chinese military aircraft which briefly entered Japanese airspace was an “absolutely unacceptable” territorial violation and safety threat, government officials have said.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday that a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japan’s south-western airspace on Monday, forcing its military to scramble fighter jets.