News|PoliticsJapan accuses Chinese jets of directing fire-control radar at its aircraftJapan’s defence minister condemns incidents as ‘dangerous’ and says that that Tokyo has lodged a ‘strong protest’ with Beijing.
Japanese Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi has reported that Chinese fighter jets directed their fire-control radar at Japanese aircraft during two separate incidents over international waters near the island of Okinawa.
Japanese Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi has reported that Chinese fighter jets directed their fire-control radar at Japanese aircraft during two separate incidents over international waters near the island of Okinawa.
Koizumi stated that Tokyo has lodged a strong protest regarding these incidents and has made a stern demand for measures to prevent recurrence.
The radar illumination was described as a dangerous act that exceeded the range necessary for safe aircraft flight. There has been no immediate comment from China on this matter.
A fire-control radar lock is considered a highly threatening act by a military aircraft, as it signals a potential attack, prompting the targeted aircraft to take evasive action. The recent encounters near Okinawa are the most significant between the two militaries in years, coinciding with deteriorating relations between Japan and China.
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has previously declared that Tokyo might respond to Chinese military actions against Taiwan if such actions also threaten Japan’s security. Taiwan, claimed by Beijing, is located just 110 km from Japan’s westernmost Yonaguni Island.
Koizumi stated that Tokyo has lodged a strong protest regarding these incidents and has made a stern demand for measures to prevent recurrence.
Japan hosts a significant concentration of United States military forces, including warships, aircraft, and troops, with a substantial portion stationed in Okinawa. There has been no immediate comment from the United States regarding Japan's claims about China's radar use.
According to Koizumi, the Chinese J-15 jets involved in the incidents on Saturday were launched from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was operating south of the Okinawan islands alongside three missile destroyers.
Koizumi described the incidents as extremely regrettable, although no damage or injuries were reported from the encounters.
The Reuters news agency, citing sources and intelligence reports, indicated that China deployed a significant number of naval and coastguard ships across East Asian waters. Taiwan's government has described this build-up as a threat to the Asia-Pacific region, while Japan continues to monitor Chinese activity closely.
Taiwan's coastguard reported monitoring drills by three Chinese maritime safety ships on the western side of the Taiwan Strait's median line, noting that the situation in surrounding waters was currently normal. Chinese state media described the drills as search-and-rescue operations in high-traffic areas of the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan coastguard accused China of using misleading and false wording to harass Taiwan and conduct psychological warfare. China claims sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait, a major trade route, while the US and Taiwan regard it as an international waterway.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.