The Chinese military has once again heightened tensions in the region with the firing July 6 of a submarine-launched ballistic missile that landed in neutral waters of the Pacific.

Chinese officials explained the launch was in accordance with international law and practice because the relevant nations, including Japan, were notified beforehand.

But it was clearly a threat and just because the rules are followed does not mean that anything is possible.

No confirmation was made that the missile passed over Japanese territory, territorial waters or its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

But the waters that China indicated as the projected landing site south of Cape Shionomisaki in Wakayama Prefecture partly overlapped Japan’s EEZ.

It is possible that the missile was launched to coincide with joint........

© The Asahi Shimbun