History has a funny way of repeating itself, but sometimes it just breaks the mold entirely. For decades, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) played it safe. They avoided the Taiwan Strait like it was a hornet’s nest, mostly because they didn't want to poke the bear—or in this case, the dragon. But then came September 2024, and everything shifted.
The JS Sazanami, a Japanese destroyer, did what no other Japanese warship had done since the end of World War II: it sailed right through the 110-mile-wide waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China. It wasn't a mistake. It wasn't a shortcut. It was a calculated, high-stakes message sent directly to Beijing from the desk of then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Why the JS Sazanami Transit Was a Huge Deal
Honestly, if you're looking at a map, the Taiwan Strait looks like any other body of water. But in the world of geopolitics, it’s a tripwire. China claims the strait as its own "internal waters," despite the rest of the world treating it as an international waterway.
When the Sazanami entered the strait from the East China Sea on a Wednesday morning, it spent more than 10 hours moving south. It wasn't alone, either. The Japanese destroyer was flanked by the HMAS Sydney from Australia and the HMNZS Aotearoa from New Zealand.
This wasn't just Japan being bold; it was a coordinated "enough is enough" from a group of allies. For Japan, this was a massive departure from their usual "wait and see" diplomacy. They’ve spent years trying not to provoke China, even as Chinese ships and planes got closer and closer to Japanese territory.
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The Breaking Point for Tokyo
So, why now? You've gotta look at what happened just weeks before the transit. In August 2024, a Chinese Y-9 surveillance plane actually flew into Japanese airspace. That’s a huge red line. Then, about a week before the Sazanami’s trip, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed between Japan’s Yonaguni and Iriomote islands.
Basically, Japan felt backed into a corner.
The Japanese government, usually very tight-lipped about military operations, didn't even officially confirm the transit at first. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment on the specifics but made it clear that Tokyo has a "strong sense of crisis" over China's recent military maneuvers.
The Regional Ripple Effect
It’s easy to think of this as just a Japan-China spat, but it’s way bigger than that. Germany had already sent its own warships through the strait just two weeks prior—their first time in 22 years.
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- Australia and New Zealand: Their involvement proved that the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" isn't just a catchy slogan.
- The United States: While the U.S. Navy transits the strait roughly once a month, having Japan join the club adds a layer of regional legitimacy that Washington can't provide on its own.
- Taiwan: For Taipei, seeing a Japanese flag in the strait is a massive psychological win. It suggests that if things ever get "hot," Japan might not stay on the sidelines.
China's "High Alert" Response
Beijing didn't take this sitting down. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called the transit a "red line" and lodged a formal protest. From China's perspective, this is a violation of the One China principle and a direct threat to their sovereignty.
They did more than just talk, though. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly shadowed the ships the entire way. There were even reports of five Chinese warships surrounding the Australian and New Zealand vessels during their passage. It was a high-seas staring contest that lasted for hours.
Is This the New Normal?
Fast forward to early 2025, and it looks like the Sazanami wasn't a one-off. In February 2025, the Japanese destroyer Akizuki made its own solo transit through the strait.
Japan is no longer asking for permission.
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The strategic importance of this water can't be overstated. Roughly 20% of global maritime trade passes through here. For Japan, the stakes are even higher: over 90% of their crude oil comes from the Middle East and passes through these contested waters. If China shuts the door, Japan's economy basically stops.
What to Watch for Next
If you're following this, keep an eye on a few key things:
- The "Grey Zone" Tactic: Expect China to increase pressure around the Senkaku Islands in retaliation.
- Joint Drills: Japan, the U.S., and Australia are ramping up exercises in the South China Sea.
- Diplomatic Summits: There’s talk of a summit between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Xi Jinping, but these naval transits make the "vibe" pretty awkward.
The days of Japan staying quiet to keep the peace are over. They’ve realized that in the current climate, silence is often mistaken for weakness.
The best way to stay informed is to monitor the official Japanese Ministry of Defense "Joint Staff" press releases, which track every single Chinese and Russian incursion into their space. Understanding the frequency of these "scrambles" explains exactly why the Sazanami had to sail when it did.
Your next move: Check the current "Freedom of Navigation" (FONOP) schedules for the U.S. 7th Fleet to see if more allies join the next transit.