National News Unidentified submarine seen near Okinawa

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An Unidentified submarine briefly entered Japan's territorial waters off the Okinawa Islands early Nov. 10, and Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) patrol aircraft were sent to track it.

Although some media reported that the Defense Agency believed it was a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine, government officials rejected such speculation and said it had yet to confirm the submerged vessel's nationality.

But a government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, did say later Nov. 10 it was highly likely the submarine is nuclear-powered, given its noise patterns.

The submarine was cruising submerged in Japan's territorial seas near the Sakishima Archipelago, some 400 kilometers from the main island of Okinawa Prefecture.

Under international law, a submarine must surface and raise its national flag while navigating in foreign territorial waters. However, this submarine had not done so.

The violation prompted Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono to order the MSDF to carry out a Maritime Security Operation, by which time the submarine had already left Japanese waters. (The Japan Times)

沖縄県沖に国籍不明の潜水艦

沖縄県沖の日本の領海で10日、国籍不明の潜水艦が領海を侵犯しているのが発見され、政府は海上警備行動を発令した。

Shukan ST: Nov. 19, 2004

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