According to the announcement, before 11:00 am on the 17th, a Chinese Navy helicopter was sent to the research vessel of the National Research and Development Agency “Fisheries Research and Education Organization”, which was investigating fishery resources in Japan’s EEZ = Exclusive Economic Zone in the East China Sea. 1 approached.
The helicopter approached the research vessel at a distance of 150 to 200 meters behind it, and then left following making two circles at an altitude of 30 meters or more.
There were a total of 32 crew members and investigators on board, but there were no injuries and resource surveys are continuing.
According to the Fisheries Agency, there is no problem under international law for helicopters to fly over the exclusive economic zone.
However, it said that it was dangerous to approach the ship and expressed regret to the Chinese government through diplomatic channels, and requested to prevent recurrence.