Tokyo has dismissed Beijing’s claim that interference by Self-Defense Forces (SDF) fighter jets during Chinese naval training caused radars to lock onto the aircraft, amid ongoing bilateral friction following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Japan’s potential response to an attack on Taiwan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara asserted that the Air Self-Defense Force jets maintained a “safe distance” from Chinese military aircraft off Okinawa during the incident on December 6. He emphasized the importance of communication between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities, despite Beijing’s retaliatory steps following Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could intervene in a Taiwan attack.
The incident involved Chinese J-15 aircraft from the carrier Liaoning locking radars onto an ASDF F-15 at 4:32 PM local time and another plane at 6:37 PM over the high seas southeast of Okinawa’s main island, according to the Japanese Defence Ministry. During their drills, Chinese fighters, helicopters, and the carrier Liaoning conducted about 100 training take-offs and landings on December 6 and 7, heightening fears of a volatile situation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun defended the radar locks, calling them “normal operations” to ensure flight safety and in line with international law. He accused Japanese fighter jets of intruding into China’s training area without authorization, conducting close-in reconnaissance and interfering with Chinese military activities. The Chinese navy claimed that Japanese aircraft “repeatedly approached and disrupted” the training area, seriously endangering flight safety.
Beijing rejected Tokyo’s complaint and lodged a counter-protest, accusing Japan of making false accusations to build tension and mislead the international community. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Tokyo to stop spreading disinformation and political manipulation.
The incident occurred amid escalating diplomatic tensions over Prime Minister Takaichi’s parliamentary comments that a military attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. China interpreted her remarks as implying that Japan could authorize the SDF to support the U.S. in the event of a Chinese maritime blockade or coercive actions against Taiwan.
Mr. Kihara described the radar locks as “dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safe flight of aircraft” and stated that Japan will take all possible air and maritime surveillance measures while closely monitoring Chinese military activities. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman maintained that activating search radar during flight training is a common practice, although radar locks can be seen as hostile acts indicating preparations to fire weapons.
Lawmakers in Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) expressed hardline views on China during a meeting on diplomacy and national defense. Policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi called the radar targeting “totally unacceptable,” while former defense minister Itsunori Onodera warned that the Chinese military’s actions have raised the alert level to a more dangerous stage, potentially seen as provocation. Onodera expects Washington to share common perceptions with Tokyo and convey a strong message to Beijing.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki expressed concern over the radar-lock incident, stating that it heightens regional tensions and could lead to unintended incidents. Meanwhile, China continued to promote its stance on Taiwan internationally, with Vice-President Han Zheng urging German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to support Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of its territory.
This latest incident underscores the delicate balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and the potential for miscalculations to escalate tensions. As both nations navigate their strategic interests, the need for clear communication and mutual understanding becomes ever more critical to prevent unintended confrontations.