Japan protests after Chinese fighter jets lock radar onto its aircraft near Okinawa, calling the act dangerous amid rising regional tensions
TOKYO: Chinese military aircraft locked their radar onto Japanese fighter jets southeast of Okinawa’s main island, Japan’s defence ministry said.
The incident involved Chinese J-15 fighter jets on Saturday, with no damage or injuries reported.
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the act “dangerous and extremely regrettable” and said Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Beijing.
China’s navy rejected the claim as “completely inconsistent with the facts” and told Japan to stop slandering it.
Beijing’s foreign ministry also rejected Japan’s protest and lodged its own counter-protest through diplomatic channels.
A spokesperson urged Japan to “immediately stop its dangerous moves of harassing China’s normal military exercise and training”.
Tensions have risen following recent remarks by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential military intervention regarding Taiwan.
The incident occurred near the Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu, a territory both nations claim.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles, visiting Japan, said he was “deeply concerned by the actions of China in the last 24 hours”.
Marles stated Canberra had stabilised ties with China by acting in a “clear, consistent, calm and sensible way”.
He added that Australia would seek to work with China where possible but disagree where necessary.
Marles also visited a Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki following a major defence procurement deal. – AFP
