A former naval officer in Japan stated on Tuesday that despite Japan’s alliance with the United States, Japan must take the lead in responding to the “gray zone” tactics adopted by China along Japan’s coastal territories.
The so-called “gray zone” tactics refer to pressure tactics between normal diplomacy and open armed conflict. These actions do not directly constitute full-scale warfare, but gradually change the regional security environment through repeated military activities, maritime patrols, and ongoing pressure.
The former Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force commander, Katsuya Yamamoto, discussed China’s “gray zone” tactics at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Katsuya Yamamoto, who previously served as a destroyer commander in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and a naval admiral, is currently a senior researcher at the Tokyo Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
The United States and Japan are currently conducting the “Keen Sword” joint military exercise with around 56,000 American and Japanese soldiers and troops from seven other countries participating. The exercise aims to practice Japan’s defense capabilities and will continue until October 29th.
Yamamoto emphasized that Japan should play a leading role in responding to China’s activities in the “gray zone”. He stated, “This must be Japan’s response. The United States can support Japan’s response, but I believe we do not need the U.S. to be at the forefront.”
Yamamoto cited examples of how the Chinese navy repeatedly passes through waters surrounding the southwestern islands of Japan, utilizing international waters where ships are permitted to navigate, to expand naval activities continuously.
In October, the Japan Joint Staff announced that a Chinese naval Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group had passed through the Miyako Strait. Japan promptly dispatched destroyers, patrol aircraft, and fighters to respond.
Furthermore, Japanese data indicates that in September, a Chinese missile destroyer and an escort ship passed through the Amami-Yokoate strait north of Okinawa.
Yamamoto believes that China’s repeated passages through these straits not only enable them to observe Japan’s surveillance and response activities and become familiar with the local maritime environment but also potentially create psychological pressure on the residents in the vicinity.
Most importantly, he pointed out that this helps normalize Chinese military activities in the region.
Yamamoto also mentioned that in December 2025, the Chinese military conducted military exercises around Taiwan, publicized as actions to blockade Taiwan while also involving controlling the first island chain concept.
The first island chain occupies a significant geographical and strategic position in the Western Pacific, extending from the southwestern islands of Japan to Taiwan and further to the Philippines.
He warned that in the event of a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait, all U.S. military bases in Japan could become targets for Chinese attacks, not just those in Okinawa.
Yamamoto highlighted that Chinese military forces become familiar with the areas by repeatedly sailing through narrow straits and uninhabited islands, where Japanese Self-Defense Forces are not stationed.
“Such experiences may make it easier for China to deploy unmanned systems or even special forces near these islands,” he said.
Yamamoto stated that China is prepared to utilize the entire Chinese society to achieve its military objectives, including not only fishing vessels but also commercial airlines, cargo ships, shipping companies, and port operators.
He further added that Japan’s response measures should not rely solely on the Self-Defense Forces but also involve the Coast Guard, local governments, private sectors, allies, and partners.