The ships, which included several destroyers, sailed between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima, according to the minister. Although there was no incursion into Japanese territorial waters, the helicopters aboard the aircraft carrier Liaoning took off and landed, the ministry said.
China’s defense ministry did not respond to calls seeking comment during a national holiday.
The US 7th Fleet, part of Navy Force Pacific, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Taiwan’s defense ministry said it would monitor the carrier group’s movements and described the situation as “normal”.
It is the first time that the passage of a Chinese aircraft carrier in the area has been confirmed since December last year, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK.