Japan 7 July announced plan to launch 9 satellites to monitor foreign ship intrusions and counter piracy; followed report that 3 Chinese govt vessels had entered disputed Senkaku/ Diaoyu island waters. Japanese defence ministry 9 July issued Defence White Paper highlighting China as major security threat; China said Japan exaggerated threats to bolster calls for military expansion, reiterated its maritime activities comply with law. Japan reported Chinese naval fleet spotted sailing through Soya Strait for first time 14 July; ships were 5 of 7 that participated in joint naval exercises with Russia 5-12 July. Japan 24 July scrambled fighter jets after Chinese military aircraft flew near its southern islands. China 26 July reported its new coast guard confronted Japanese patrol vessels in waters surrounding disputed islands. Japanese PM Abe 26 July called for high-level meeting between Japan and China; Beijing accused Japan of using “empty slogans”. Japan’s vice FM Saiki in Beijing 29-30 July for talks. Japanese defence review paper late month said Japan should bolster marine force, introduce surveillance drones. China confirmed exploration activities in East China Sea after Japan protested construction projects near “median line”; Japan 3 July said does not accept “unilateral development” in areas where countries have overlapping claims; China stated all exploration activities and plans within areas under its administration. State-run Chinese oil and gas firm announced proposal to develop new fields in disputed waters.

Tokyo denied existence of 1972 agreement with China to shelve Diaoyu/Senkaku islands dispute, dismissing 3 June statement by former chief cabinet secretary Hiromu Nonaka. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Deputy Chief of Staff 2 June said May claim by Chinese scholars that Ryukyu islands belonged to China is not official position, situation different than Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. Also said China privileges one-on-one talks for maritime disputes, “opposes moves by U.S., Japan and other states to team up against China”. PLA’s General Political Department director 7 June met with Japan’s Forum on China’sPolitics and Economy delegation led by former Japanese Self-Defense Force navy commander; both advocated for settlement of differences and disputes through cooperative dialogues. Japan’s former Vice FM Shotaro Yachi unofficially visited Beijing in effort to improve relations. Chinese vessels spotted in disputed waters  off islands throughout month.

Chinese foreign ministry 27 April said disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands part of China’s core interests. Japanese and Chinese officials met in Beijing 28 April to discuss measures aimed at avoiding accidental military clashes in East China Sea (ECS), in first official contact between countries’ defence departments since Japanese govt purchased disputed islands Sept 2012. Chinese presence in disputed waters off islands continued. China Ocean Development Report 9 May said China intends to increase offshore patrols of South China Sea and ECS. Foreign Ministry statement said that Chinese claims to islands are consistent with international law. Chinese scholars writing in People’s Daily 8 May questioned Japanese sovereignty over Ryukyu islands, annexed by Japan in 1900s. Analysts interpreted article as attempt to raise stakes in ECS dispute; Japan lodged diplomatic protest. People’s Liberation Army General Luo Yuan 15 May stated Ryukyu islands do not belong to Japan. Japanese Defence Ministry reported unidentified submarine cruised waters near Okinawa, PM Abe 14 May said submerged submarines entering Japanese waters to be met with military force, Defence Minister said submarine identified, Japan will call for “such encroachments to cease”. Chinese PM Li Keqiang 26 May said Japan should “return all occupied territories”.

Pattern emerging of incremental escalation between two sides, with ever more vessels operating in disputed waters of Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. Japanese nationalist group Ganbare Nippon 23 April sent 10 boats to waters, prompting Chinese State Oceanic Administration to dispatch 8 ships, largest group China has sent, to “monitor” GN flotilla. Japanese PM Abe 23 April said Chinese attempts to land on islands would be met with force. Chinese vessels spotted in disputed waters throughout month, also sent planes near islands. 168 Japanese MPs 23 April visited Yasukuni shrine war memorial, also several ministers, sparking protests by China, ROK.

Chinese mapping agency 12 March said surveyors will be sent to disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands when “time is appropriate”; Japan asked China to exercise restraint, not conduct land surveys. Presence of Chinese navy and maritime surveillance vessels off islands continued. Japanese Coast Guard 5 March seized Chinese ship fishing in its exclusive economic zone near islands. China 10 March announced merging of 4 maritime law enforcement agencies into National Ocean Administration, in move to enhance internal coordination, “better safeguard China’s maritime rights”. China 17 March appointed former ambassador to Japan Wang Yi as new FM. Japanese media 18 March reported Chinese military admitted Feb radar locking incident did happen; refuted by Beijing. Japanese PM Abe 17 March said Japan needs to increase its deterrence capabilities. Tokyo 13 March hosted defence dialogue with ASEAN calling for stronger security ties. U.S. 20 March said U.S. and Japan discussing worst-case contingency plans for retaking islands if China moves to seize them. U.S. 22 March said China will participate in U.S.-led Pacific Ocean naval exercises in 2014.

Japan 5 Feb lodged formal protest to China claiming Chinese frigate locked radar on Japanese naval vessel 30 and 19 Jan near disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands; China dismissed claim, U.S. stated support for Japanese protest.Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Masahisa Sato 12 Feb suggested establishing hotline with China to prevent further incidents. Japanese Defence Minister Onodera 14 Feb claimed Japan’s right to pre-emptive strikes in case of imminent threats. Japanese PM Abe and U.S. President Obama 22 Feb meeting in Washington reaffirmed security alliance. U.S., Japan and Australia 7 Feb held navy, air force drills in Western Pacific. Presence of Chinese navy and maritime surveillance vessels off islands continued. China VP Li Kegiang urged maritime surveillance staff intensify law enforcement in territorial sea to protect Chinese interests. Japanese defence ministry 28 Feb reported it sent fighter jets to head off Chinese govt plane flying toward disputed islands, Chinese plane changed course. Japan 22 Feb formally complained about Chinese buoys placed near disputed waters claiming they are used for submarine tracking; China dismissed claim.

Further increase in tensions over disputed Diaoyu/ Senkaku islands. Japan 10 Jan sent military reconnaissance aircraft to tail Chinese marine surveillance plane near islands; China responded sending 2 fighter jets near islands for first time. Japan 16 Jan suggested it may fire warning “tracer” shots against intruding aircraft that refuse to change course. Chinese foreign ministry said country on “high alert”, accused Japan of escalating tensions. Chinese fighter jets also shadowed 2 U.S. aircraft 10 Jan in airspace near Japan/China border. U.S. Sec State Clinton 18 Jan said area is under Japanese administration and thus protected under U.S.-Japan security treaty; 3 Chinese govt ships next day entered Japanese waters around islands. Japan 13 Jan held annual military drills, focused for first time on island defence; also announced first increase in defence budget for over a decade, said may deploy mobile radars near islands. Japanese delegation visited Beijing 22-26 Jan in bid to ease tensions; Japanese PM Abe 29 Jan suggested summit between China and Japan. Chinese govt ships again entered Japanese waters next day.

China’s State Oceanic Administration agency sent surveillance aircraft into airspace over Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, marking new stage in dispute over islands with air and sea patrols to challenge Japan’s de facto control. Japan responded by sending 8 fighter jets, made formal diplomatic protest; Japanese defence minister said this was first intrusion of Japanese airspace by China since 1958. China 13 Dec submitted to UN detailed claim to its continental shelf, opposed by Japan. China’s largest fishery patrol ship sent to patrol waters near islands. Shinzo Abe elected PM of Japan 26 Dec following Liberal Democratic Party landslide victory in Diet lower house elections 16 Dec; Abe seen as hawkish on territorial disputes, fuelling concern in region. U.S. Senate reaffirmed support to Japan over islands late Nov, sparking criticism from China.

Chinese patrol vessels continuing to carry out surveillance around disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. U.S. delegation visited Tokyo and Beijing for high level talks in effort to reduce tensions.

Chinese, Japanese officials met mid-month to discuss dispute over Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. Chinese officials pulled out of IMF, World Bank annual meetings in Japan. Chinese patrol vessels entered waters near islands during month, 30 Oct confronted Japanese vessels. Chinese navy 19 Oct conducted exercises in East China Sea.