Japan destroyer inadvertently entered China waters, captain sacked
Japan has told China that a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer that sailed into Chinese territorial waters in July despite repeated warnings by Chinese vessels did so inadvertently, diplomatic sources said Sunday, adding that the captain has been replaced for what was viewed as a serious error.
Observers say the incident, which occurred as the destroyer Suzutsuki was monitoring Chinese military drills on the high seas, calls into question the skill levels of MSDF personnel. Tokyo is also considering disciplinary measures against other crew members, the sources said.
Japan has unofficially informed China about its findings as well as the captain's dismissal. The incident triggered a protest from Beijing.
In the early morning of July 4, the Suzutsuki sailed for some 20 minutes in Chinese waters within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of the coast of Zhejiang Province.
When an MSDF base made an inquiry after noticing the destroyer's entry into Chinese waters, the male officer with the rank of commander, serving as the Suzutsuki's captain, responded that he was "not aware" the ship had sailed into an "off-limits area," according to the sources.
The officer had assumed command of the ship in May this year. An investigation conducted following the incident also revealed that there were flaws in relaying information from other crew members on duty when the destroyer entered Chinese waters, the sources said.
"Inadvertently"