BEIJING, China — Tensions between Japan and China have sharply escalated following two reported incidents where Chinese fighter jets utilized fire-control radar lock-ons against Japanese aircraft.
The action, considered a grave and provocative military threat as it precedes a potential attack, has drawn a strong diplomatic protest from Tokyo.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the incidents occurred on Saturday off its southern Okinawa islands.
Japanese fighter jets were scrambled in response to the Chinese J-15 aircraft, which were launched from the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.
The first radar lock was detected at 16:32 local time (07:32 GMT), followed by a second incident at approximately 18:37. No damage or injuries were reported in either event.
A Japanese defence ministry official noted that the intention of the Chinese J-15 jets was “unclear,” but asserted that there was “no need” for the jets to lock onto Japanese planes if their objective was merely to locate other aircraft.
The official added that the Japanese aircraft “did not do anything that could be considered a provocation.”
The crisis comes amid a month of intensifying diplomatic hostility, which began after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly suggested that Tokyo reserved the right to take military action should Beijing launch an attack on self-governed Taiwan—which China views as its own territory.
Strong protests and conflicting accounts
The Japanese government swiftly condemned the radar locking, demanding immediate measures to prevent any recurrence.
“It is extremely regrettable. Japan has strongly protested to the Chinese side, and we firmly requested measures to prevent recurrence,” Takaichi told reporters Sunday in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture.
She affirmed Tokyo’s commitment to managing the situation carefully, adding, “We will respond calmly and resolutely.”
Conversely, the Chinese navy vehemently denied Japan’s allegations, asserting that Tokyo was “harassing” Chinese forces during a scheduled training exercise.
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The navy stated that Japan’s claim was “completely inconsistent with the facts” and instructed Tokyo to “immediately stop slandering and smearing.”
China maintained that its training exercises in the region had been previously announced.
Widening rift and economic impact
The military confrontation is the latest development in a widening rift that has begun to affect the daily lives of citizens in both countries. Last week, China and Japan’s coast guards offered conflicting narratives regarding a confrontation near disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Furthermore, Beijing’s response to heightened tensions has included:
- Asking its citizens to avoid travel to Japan.
- Banning the importation of seafood from Japan.
- Suspending the screening of popular Japanese films.
The crisis follows an incident two weeks prior when Japan scrambled aircraft after detecting a suspected Chinese drone off Yonaguni island, located near Taiwan. Tokyo’s plan to deploy missiles from Yonaguni has also been a point of contention that has angered Beijing.
