Foreign sub spotted near Japan's territorial waters

A foreign submarine was detected on May 12 plying the depths in a contiguous zone outside Japan's territorial waters south of Kumejima island in Okinawa Prefecture, the Defense Ministry said May 13.

Although officials did not elaborate on the sub's country of origin, a government source said the vessel likely belonged to the Chinese Navy.

"I was prepared to order 'maritime security operations' immediately upon getting approval from the prime minister (Shinzo Abe), if the submarine entered (Japan's) territorial waters," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters May 13.

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