Japan is scrambling to explain why its naval destroyer pushed into Chinese waters where Beijing was conducting live-fire drills near Taiwan [Video]

Japan’s defense ministry is investigating officers of a naval destroyer that entered Chinese territorial waters for about 20 minutes on July 4, according to local reports.

Kyodo News reported on Thursday that the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Suzutsuki was monitoring Chinese live-fire drills on the coast of China’s Zhejiang province when it pushed into Chinese territory.

Zhejiang’s maritime authority issued a notice on July 3 saying it would conduct live-fire drills from 6 a.m. on July 4 to 10 p.m. the next day, designating a no-sail zone on the coast.

Per Kyodo News, the Suzutsuki approached the no-sail zone on July 4 and was told by Chinese vessels to turn back, but accelerated and continued deeper into Chinese territory.

The vessel was about 12 nautical miles from Zhejiang’s coast, the outlet reported, citing two anonymous officials.

Zhejiang is one of mainland China’s closest provinces to Taiwan.

The Suzutsuki departed Chinese waters about 20 minutes later, and Kyodo News sources said they suspected the accident …