Japan confirms China has installed radar in the East China Sea.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said China has installed a radar system at one of its structures in the East China Sea, an area disputed by the two countries.

The structure in China is believed to have radar. Photo: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In images released yesterday by Japan on its Foreign Ministry website, one of China's 16 structures intended for oil and gas exploration is equipped with surface radar and surveillance cameras, Nikkei reported.

Accordingly, the radar station was discovered located beneath the helipad on this structure. The Japanese government assessed that "radar is equipment typically installed on patrol vessels and should not be used for oil and gas exploration." Tokyo is analyzing the radar system, concerned that China may be increasing its military strength in the East China Sea.

Tokyo had previously lodged a protest with Beijing through diplomatic channels.

Japan and China had agreed to cooperate on oil and gas exploration in the East China Sea in 2008, but this effort later fell through when tensions escalated in 2010 due to a sovereignty dispute over the Senkaku Islands.

Since last July, Japan has been collecting images of structures showing China unilaterally exploiting resources in the disputed area. Tokyo argues that Beijing's structures there are primarily intended for oil and gas exploration, but also serve military functions.

According to VNE