China Coast Guard Senkaku 2025 Incursions Reach Record 357 Days

China's presence near the disputed islands in the East China Sea has become an almost permanent fixture. According to Japan Coast Guard (JCG) data, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were spotted in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands on 357 of 365 days in 2025. It's the fourth consecutive year that this record has been shattered, signaling a relentless push to normalize Beijing's maritime claims.

The Numbers Behind China Coast Guard Senkaku 2025 Incursions

The sheer scale of the operation is unprecedented. A total of 1,380 vessels operated in the zone throughout the year. Perhaps most striking is the streak of 335 consecutive days of presence recorded between late 2024 and October 2025. While bad weather once forced these ships back to port, the CCG's newer, larger vessels can now withstand heavy seas, effectively maintaining a year-round station.

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The technical gap is widening, too. As of late 2024, the CCG boasted 161 vessels over 1,000 tons—more than double the JCG's 78 ships. These Chinese ships aren't just larger; they're increasingly lethal. Since June 2024, all vessels in the standard four-ship deployment have been equipped with 76 mm autocannons, escalating the stakes of every encounter.

Salami-Slicing and the Risk of a New Normal

This strategy is often called 'salami-slicing'—the gradual erosion of the status quo through small, incremental actions. By making these incursions a daily routine, Beijing is betting that the international community and the Japanese public will eventually grow accustomed to their presence. JCG officials have noted that Japanese media reports on these incidents have already become briefer and less frequent, mirroring the desensitization seen with missile launches elsewhere in the region.