Key Facts
• August 4, 2025: Taiwanese vessel spotted in Japan’s EEZ near Tokunoshima.
• Location: Approximately 335 km northwest of Tokunoshima.
• Time: Incident occurred at 3:50 PM; vessel crossed median line at 7:45 PM.
• Vessel: Taiwanese research ship “Xinhaiyan No. 1” extended wire-like object into the sea.
• Japan Coast Guard (10th Regional HQ) issued radio demands to halt activity.
• No response from the vessel; it sailed westward toward Taiwan.
• Similar incident: June 27, 2025, near Yonaguni Island in Japan’s EEZ.
• Past 5 years: No prior navigation by Taiwanese research vessels in this region.
Summary
On August 4, 2025, the Japanese Coast Guard reported a suspected unauthorized marine survey by the Taiwanese research vessel “Xinhaiyan No. 1” in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Tokunoshima. The vessel was observed extending a wire-like object into the sea approximately 335 km northwest of Tokunoshima. Despite radio demands to cease its activities, the vessel did not respond and continued westward, crossing the median line toward Taiwan by 7:45 PM. A similar incident involving the same vessel occurred on June 27, 2025, near Yonaguni Island. This marks the first such activity by Taiwanese research vessels in the region in the past five years. The Japanese Coast Guard is treating the incident as a potential violation of Japan’s maritime rights.
