Koizumi says China carrier drills in Pacific highlight Japan’s ‘limited’ surveillance capabilities

What happened: Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Chinese Navy drills in the western Pacific involving the Liaoning carrier strike group highlighted Japan's "limited" monitoring capabilities. Key numbers: The Liaoning and three other warships entered the South China Sea on Thursday after drills south of Okinawa's Ishigaki Island. Why it matters: Tokyo is looking to strengthen its defenses in the area as China expands and intensifies military activity near Japan.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Chinese Navy drills in the western Pacific involving the Liaoning carrier strike group highlighted Japan's "limited" monitoring capabilities.

Tokyo is looking to strengthen its defenses in the area as China expands and intensifies military activity near Japan.