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 traini...