A: Hey there! Did you hear about something interesting?

B: Uh, no, what's up?

A: Well, China removed a buoy from our Exclusive Economic Zone around Okinawa! It was near Yonaguni Island.

B: What do you mean, "our"? As in Japan's zone? That's cool, but why did they remove it?

A: The Japanese government asked them to take it out immediately since it was there without permission. They even took a buoy from around Senkaku Islands earlier this year.

B: Oh, I know about the Senkaku Islands. Both China and Taiwan claim those, right? Japan says they're part of its own territory though, correct?

A: Exactly! And they still say there's no issue of sovereignty over them. So, now China said the buoy south of Yonaguni Island is no longer an issue, but they didn't give a reason why.

B: Hmm... That sounds a bit mysterious. What does Japan plan to do about it?

A: They'll keep patrolling those waters and keep their eyes open. The relevant government agencies will continue with surveillance activities as well. But for now, they won't say anything more about China's intentions.
----------------

The Japanese government has confirmed that China has removed its last remaining buoy from Japan's exclusive economic zone off Okinawa.



The buoy was detected to the south of Okinawa Prefecture's Yonaguni Island last December. The Japanese government had demanded its immediate removal from Japan's EEZ and has been monitoring the situation around the waters.



The Japanese government said in February that a Chinese buoy in the waters around Okinawa Prefecture's Senkaku Islands had been removed. China explained that it had moved the buoy.



Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.



Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Thursday that he understands that the buoy south of Yonaguni Island is no longer an issue.



He said China has not offered an external explanation and he will refrain from answering questions about its intentions.



Hayashi said the Japanese government has been routinely patrolling the waters under its jurisdiction and the relevant government agencies will continue to cooperate in vigilance and surveillance activities.