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Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, committed to respond "with calm determination" following reports that People's Liberation Army jets acquired a radar lock on Japanese fighter jets south-east of Okinawa's main island over the weekend.

An Dangerous Incident Disclosed

According to Japan's defence ministry, Chinese J-15 jets from the aircraft carrier Liaoning activated its targeting radar on Japanese F-15s on two occasions on Saturday. This occurred happened at 4:32 p.m. and was repeated about later. Officials noted that visual confirmation could not be obtained because of the range involved, adding that there was no damage or injuries were reported.

"It marked the first time the Japanese Ministry of Defense has made public an event of this nature," one news agency stated. Military aircraft commonly use radar for tracking purposes.

Diplomatic Objection and Counter-Claims

In response to the allegations, China's navy released a declaration rejecting them as "completely inconsistent with reality." The statement demanded Japan to "cease slandering and smearing." Instead, China claimed that Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft had "seriously endangered flight safety" by repeatedly flying near China's exercise areas. Beijing made no reference to a radar lock-on.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs later urged Japan to "halt its dangerous moves of interfering with China's routine military exercise and training."

Escalating Tensions and Broader Background

Relations between China and Tokyo have deteriorated significantly over the past month. This cooling came after PM Takaichi remarked that an attack on Taiwan might trigger the dispatch of Japan's Self-Defense Forces should the situation presented an extreme danger to the nation.

She argued that Tokyo could exercise its legal authority to collective defense, which involves assisting an ally. The Prime Minister stated that her country had to "anticipate the most severe possibilities" regarding the Taiwan Strait.

Japan's defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, described the radar incident as "highly risky and deeply unfortunate." Subsequently, the Chinese envoy to Japan, Wu Jianghao, was summoned on Sunday.

Japan's vice minister for foreign affairs, Funakoshi Takehiro, lodged a "formal complaint" and demanded Beijing to "guarantee that similar actions do not recur."

Enduring Disputes

Japan and China have a protracted territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, which are known as the Diaoyu by Beijing. These small, unoccupied islets are situated between Okinawa and Taiwan.

Furthermore, regional frictions continue. Tokyo is deepening cooperation with American and other allies in the Asia-Pacific region, where several nations have their own maritime) disagreements with China.

China, for its part, asserts vast territorial claims in the South China Sea, activities that has prompted international concern.