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Japan, a key U.S. security ally, plans to acquire additional patrol vessels and drones due to increased Chinese presence around disputed islands in the East China Sea, particularly the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu Islands in China).
The Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan but claimed by China. The uninhabited island group is part of a defensive line with Japan’s main islands, Taiwan, and the Philippines under a U.S.-led strategy to restrict China’s military activity in the Western Pacific.
Japan’s coast guard has unveiled its fiscal 2026 budget request, which includes plans to purchase four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and build two large patrol ships. This move aims to boost maritime surveillance against China’s armed coast guard fleet.
The Japan coast guard operates three SeaGuardian drones deployed around the Senkaku Islands since April to monitor Chinese vessels. Two more are scheduled to join the fleet by March 2026, with additional four drones potentially entering service in fiscal 2028.
Japan also faces accusations from China of constructing structures for oil and gas development in the East China Sea, where both countries have yet to delimit their exclusive economic zones.
The Japan coast guard requested a budget of ¥317.7 billion ($2.15 billion) for fiscal 2026, a 14% increase from the previous year, making it the largest ever. Tokyo has allocated ¥320 billion ($2.16 billion) to the coast guard for fiscal 2027.
In response to China’s armed coast guard fleet, Japan plans to acquire additional patrol vessels and drones to counter Chinese presence around disputed islands in the East China Sea, particularly the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China as part of its territory (Diaoyu Islands).
Japan has requested a budget of ¥317.7 billion ($2.15 billion) for fiscal 2026, including four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and two large patrol ships to enhance maritime surveillance. The Japan coast guard operates 147 patrol vessels, including 20 capable of launching helicopters.
China’s Foreign Ministry has maintained its stance that Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are part of China’s territory. Meanwhile, Japan plans to bolster its maritime presence in response to the Chinese coast guard fleet’s expansion around the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
