Japan is looking into a report that a Chinese submarine is being towed in the South China Sea toward Hainan Island, government sources said Tuesday.
Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono told a news conference he has been briefed on the situation. But he refrained from disclosing what he knew, saying only that Japan's security is not directly affected.
The diesel-powered sub apparently became inoperative due to an onboard fire in the South China Sea. The sources said it was confirmed to have surfaced and was being towed to the west from the Taiwan area by a navy vessel.
In 2003, all 70 crew members aboard a conventionally powered Chinese submarine reportedly died following "mechanical problems" during an exercise in the Yellow Sea.