Japan confirms Chinese aircraft carriers sail east of Iwo Jima for the first time

TOKYO (Reuters) – Chinese aircraft carrier Royal Airways has crossed waters east of Ivo Island in the Pacific for the first time, a spokesman for Japan's top government said on Monday.

The main cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference in Tokyo that Japan will strengthen surveillance and collect necessary information. Hayashi said Japan also sent “appropriate information” to China.

IWO JIMA is located 1,000 km (620 miles) south of Tokyo.

In a statement over the weekend, the aid ship was accompanied by a number of other ships, near remote islands east of Iwo Jima, accompanied by a number of other ships.

Japan also confirmed that fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed in waters southeast of Iwo Jima on Sunday.

(Reported by Mariko Katsuumura; Edited by Kate Mayberry)