Japan’s military tracked a Russian submarine near its southwestern islands, deploying forces to monitor its movement.

The Kilo-class submarine, accompanied by a Russian naval vessel, was detected 50 kilometers south of Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost territory near Taiwan. It traveled northeast between Yonaguni and Iriomote Islands. This was the first confirmed sighting of a Russian submarine in these waters, according to Japan’s Joint Staff.

Heightened Military Presence in the Region

Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) deployed a combat support ship and a P-3 surveillance aircraft for reconnaissance. Officials confirmed no breach of Japan’s territorial waters. The incident occurred shortly after the Philippine military reported a similar Russian submarine in the South China Sea.

Military activity near Japan has been escalating. On Sunday, a Chinese warship passed east of Miyako Island, and in September, a Chinese aircraft carrier and two destroyers entered Japan’s contiguous zone near Yonaguni.

Japan has bolstered its defenses around remote islands to address growing regional security concerns and continues to monitor nearby waters closely.