Japan protests after Chinese warship conducts live-fire drill near Okinotori during operation with Russian vessel

Why is Okinotori central to this dispute?

Japan treats Okinotori as an island that can generate an exclusive economic zone, while China argues it is a reef or rock and therefore cannot create an EEZ under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea infobae,LaVanguardia,Straits Times.

What ships were involved in the operation Japan reported?

Japan's Joint Staff said it tracked four vessels near Okinotori: two Chinese guided-missile destroyers, one Chinese replenishment ship, and one Russian frigate; it later said one of the Chinese destroyers carried out the live-fire drill ThePrint,U.S. News & World R…,Straits Times.

Did Japan say the drill itself violated international law?

Japanese officials protested on safety grounds, saying the activity could pose a danger to nearby vessels, but one military spokesperson also said the activity was not against international rules ThePrint,infobae.