Tensions rise as China conducts military exercises near Taiwan.

Japan has been closely monitoring China's military drills around Taiwan with great interest, given the proximity of its southern islands to Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under Beijing's control. The United States has also been watching China's drills closely. Taiwan's military has been scrambling fighters and sending warships to shadow China's forces, but said it would respond calmly and not provoke conflict.