The buoy was detected to the south of Okinawa Prefecture’s Yonaguni Island last December. The Japanese government had demanded its immediate removal from Japan’s EEZ and has been monitoring the situation around the waters.

The Japanese government said in February that a Chinese buoy in the waters around Okinawa Prefecture’s Senkaku Islands had been removed. China explained that it had moved the buoy.

Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Thursday that he understands that the buoy south of Yonaguni Island is no longer an issue.

He said China has not offered an external explanation and he will refrain from answering questions about its intentions.

Hayashi said the Japanese government has been routinely patrolling the waters under its jurisdiction and the relevant government agencies will continue to cooperate in vigilance and surveillance activities.