Japan Condemns China for ‘Dangerous’ Radar Lock on Patrol Aircraft

TOKYO: Tensions between East Asian neighbours China and Japan have intensified dramatically following a weekend of intense Chinese military activity near Japan’s southwest island chain, culminating in a formal diplomatic protest over a dangerous radar incident.

On Sunday, Tokyo summoned China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, to protest behavior it labeled “dangerous and regrettable,” after claiming fighter jets from the Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier aimed radar beams at Japanese aircraft scrambled to monitor the vessel. Illuminating a surveillance aircraft with target-acquisition radar is widely considered an aggressive act, signaling a potential attack and forcing the targeted plane to take evasive action.

The encounters occurred as China’s Liaoning carrier strike group—escorted by three missile-destroyers—sailed east into the Pacific Ocean past the sensitive Okinawa Islands. Over the weekend, the carrier conducted approximately 100 take-offs and landings, according to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara firmly rejected China’s counter-claim that Japanese aircraft had obstructed safe flight operations. “Japan will respond calmly but firmly and continue to monitor the movements of Chinese forces in the waters around our country,” Kihara told a press briefing.

The Chinese embassy issued a stark statement, denying Tokyo’s claims and demanding that Japan “stop smearing and slandering, strictly restrain its frontline actions, and prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

This escalation follows a warning last month from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who stated that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan that simultaneously threatens Japan’s security. The critical location of Taiwan, just 110 km (70 miles) from Japan’s westernmost island, links the island’s security directly to Tokyo’s defense strategy.