🔗 Share this article

Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has pledged to respond "calmly and resolutely" after accusations that People's Liberation Army jets acquired a radar lock on Japanese fighter jets southeast of the main island during the past weekend.

A Dangerous Aerial Encounter Disclosed

According to Japan's defence ministry, Chinese J-15 fighter aircraft from the carrier Liaoning activated its targeting radar against Japan's F-15s twice on Saturday. The first incident happened at 4:32 p.m. and was repeated approximately later. Officials stated that a visual sighting could not be obtained because of the range involved, adding that no damage or casualties resulted.

"This was the first time Japan's defence ministry has disclosed an event of this nature," one news agency noted. Fighter jets routinely use radar for search and rescue.

Official Objection and Counter-Claims

Reacting to Tokyo's claims, the Chinese military issued a declaration rejecting them as "totally contrary to the facts." The statement demanded Japan to "cease making false accusations." Conversely, Beijing claimed that Japanese SDF planes had "posed a grave risk to flight safety" by repeatedly flying near China's exercise areas. The Chinese statement made no reference to any radar targeting.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry subsequently urged Tokyo to "immediately stop its provocative actions of harassing China's routine military exercise and training."

Rising Strains and Broader Background

Ties linking Beijing and Japan have worsened significantly over the past month. This cooling followed Prime Minister Takaichi remarked that hostilities against Taiwan could trigger the dispatch of Japanese Self-Defense Forces should the situation presented an existential threat to the nation.

Takaichi argued that Tokyo could invoke its legal authority to collective self-defence, which involves assisting an ally. The Prime Minister stated that her country had to "anticipate the most severe possibilities" in the Taiwan Strait.

Japan's defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, described the encounter as "highly risky and deeply unfortunate." In a diplomatic move, China's envoy to Japan, Wu Jianghao, was called in the following day.

Japan's vice minister for foreign affairs, Funakoshi Takehiro, lodged a "formal complaint" and urged Beijing to "ensure that such acts are not repeated."

Enduring Points of Contention

Japan and China are also locked in a protracted territorial dispute over a group of islands, which are known as the Diaoyu in China. The tiny, uninhabited islets are situated between Okinawa and Taiwan.

Additionally, regional frictions persist. Japan is deepening cooperation with the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, where several nations have their own maritime) disagreements with Beijing.

China, in turn, asserts vast territorial claims in the South China Sea, activities that has drawn criticism and legal challenges.