Japan Sacked Warship Captain for “Unknowingly” Entering Chinese Territorial Waters

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has dismissed the captain of one of its destroyers after being found guilty of a “serious offense” for sailing into Chinese territorial waters last July.

The captain of the JMSDF warship entered Chinese waters despite repeated warnings from Chinese warships.

Diplomatic sources informed Japanese media that the incident occurred while the JMSDF destroyer “JS Suzutsuki” was monitoring naval exercises conducted by Chinese warships.

The Japanese destroyer’s actions in entering China’s territorial waters were protested by Beijing.

According to Japanese media, the incident raised questions about the competency of JMSDF personnel.

Additionally, the Japanese Navy is reportedly considering disciplinary action against other crew members aboard the destroyer involved.

The incident, which took place on July 4, saw the JMSDF destroyer “ JS Suzutsuki” enter the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters off China’s Zhejiang province, staying there for 20 minutes.

Upon investigation, the destroyer’s captain claimed he was unaware of the ship’s position until after it had entered Chinese waters.

This marks the first time a JMSDF warship has entered Chinese territorial waters since 1954.

The JS Suzutsuki is an Akizuki-class destroyer commissioned into the Japanese Navy in 2014. The warship has a displacement of 5,000 tons (standard) or 6,800 tons (full), with a length of 150 meters.

Manned by a crew of 200, the destroyer was built by Mitsubishi.

It is equipped with advanced sensors and electronics, as well as modern weaponry, including eight Type 90 anti-ship/land-attack missiles, a 127mm main gun, and the Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), capable of deploying various missiles and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.

The JMSDF warship also carries a SH-60K helicopter. – DSA