Four Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered Japan's territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on Wednesday afternoon, marking the third consecutive day of such intrusions.

Japanese Coast Guard officials confirmed the incident occurred near the disputed islands administered by Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture. The vessels, all equipped with deck-mounted cannons, stayed in the area for nearly two hours before retreating to Japan's contiguous zone. Japanese patrol boats immediately issued warnings and demanded that the ships leave sovereign waters.

This follows similar violations earlier this week. On Monday, two China Coast Guard ships entered waters around Minamikojima, part of the Senkaku chain, at about 5:30 a.m. They approached a Japanese fishing boat, prompting the Japan Coast Guard to intervene and warn them away. That marked the first confirmed entry since February 10. On Tuesday, China's Coast Guard claimed it warned and drove away a Japanese fishing vessel from waters near the islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyu Islands.

The Japan Coast Guard has monitored Chinese government ships in the area for 124 consecutive days. Such activities have intensified in recent years. In 2025, Chinese Coast Guard vessels were present in the contiguous zone around the islands on a record 357 days, up from previous years. They intruded into territorial waters on 32 occasions that year.

The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, have been a flashpoint in East China Sea tensions. Japan has administered them since 1972 and maintains they are inherent territory with no dispute. China claims historical sovereignty and has increased patrols to assert its position.

Each time Chinese vessels enter territorial waters, Japanese patrol ships demand their departure while monitoring activities. Tokyo has repeatedly protested through diplomatic channels, including summoning Chinese diplomats over prior incidents.

The ongoing presence underscores broader frictions between Tokyo and Beijing, including maritime security and regional stability. Japan continues to bolster its coast guard capabilities in response to repeated incursions.