Tensions Rise as China Pre-Notifies Japan of SLBM Test Launch Near EEZ

China’s Ministry of National Defense has reportedly notified the Japanese government in advance before launching a Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) toward the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. The incident has heightened tensions within Japan over national security and the implications of the prior notification.

According to government officials and various media reports, the advance notice from China was delivered around 11:30 AM on July 6 through the Embassy of Japan in China. Because part of the projected splashdown zone included Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) south of Cape Shionomisaki in Wakayama Prefecture, the Japanese government immediately voiced its concerns. Tokyo expressed deep concern over China's escalating military activities and strongly urged Beijing not to threaten Japan's security.

Shortly after 1:00 PM JST on the same day, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) nuclear submarine launched the SLBM. The missile, equipped with a dummy training warhead, is believed to have landed in the designated area. While some analyses suggest the final landing point was outside Japan’s EEZ in the Pacific, government agencies are currently conducting a detailed analysis.

The development triggered a wave of anxiety among the public on social media. Online discussions have been active, with some calling for swift information disclosure and enhanced defense capabilities, urging the government to "make citizens' safety the top priority and maintain thorough vigilance." Others analyzed the geopolitical context, asking, "Why now?" and speculating, "Is this a move to pressure Japan in light of the Taiwan situation?" Moving forward, the Japanese government will be expected to ensure the safety of surrounding waters and implement countermeasures with a heightened sense of urgency.

The Context

Japan's maritime boundaries, particularly its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), are a frequent flashpoint for regional tensions. Cape Shionomisaki, located at the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula on Japan's main island of Honshu, is far closer to the Japanese heartland than the disputed islands in the East China Sea. A missile landing near this area, even with advance notice, represents a highly sensitive security concern for Tokyo.

Moreover, China's development of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) is viewed by military analysts as an effort to secure a reliable "second-strike" nuclear capability. This test comes amid growing international friction over Taiwan and the South China Sea, leading many in Japan to view the launch—and the unusual advance notification—as a calculated geopolitical signal aimed at testing Japan's readiness and its alliance with the United States.