Japan's PM Promises a 'Determined' Response Following Radar Lock-On Incident With Chinese Aircraft.

Japan's leader, Sanae Takaichi, vowed to act "in a composed yet firm manner" following accusations that Chinese military aircraft acquired a radar lock on Japan's fighter jets southeast of Okinawa's main island during the weekend.

An Serious Aerial Encounter Detailed

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, China's J-15 jets from the aircraft carrier Liaoning engaged its fire-control radar on Japan's F-15s on two occasions on Saturday. The first incident took place at 4:32 p.m. and was repeated about later. Officials noted that a visual sighting was not possible due to the distance, adding that there was no damage or casualties occurred.

"It marked an unprecedented instance the Japanese defence ministry has disclosed such an incident," a report noted. Military aircraft commonly use radar for tracking purposes.

Diplomatic Objection and Counter-Claims

In response to Tokyo's claims, the Chinese navy released a declaration rejecting the report as "totally contrary to the facts." The statement urged Tokyo to "immediately stop slandering and smearing." Conversely, China claimed that Japanese SDF aircraft had "seriously endangered aviation safety" by consistently approaching its training zones. The Chinese statement did not mention a radar lock-on.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry subsequently called on Japan to "immediately stop its dangerous moves of harassing China's normal military exercise and training."

Escalating Strains and Regional Context

Relations linking China and Japan have worsened significantly over the past month. The downturn followed Prime Minister Takaichi remarked that an attack on Taiwan could trigger the deployment of Japanese military if the situation posed an extreme danger to the nation.

Takaichi argued that Japan could exercise its legal authority to collective defense, meaning assisting a partner under attack. She stated that Japan had to "anticipate a worst-case scenario" in the Taiwan Strait.

Japan's Defense Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, described the radar incident as "dangerous and extremely regrettable." In a diplomatic move, China's envoy to Japan, Wu Jianghao, was called in on Sunday.

A senior vice minister for foreign affairs, Funakoshi Takehiro, lodged a "formal complaint" and demanded Beijing to "ensure that similar actions are not repeated."

Enduring Disputes

Japan and China are also locked in a protracted sovereignty disagreement over a group of islands, called the Diaoyu by Beijing. These tiny, unoccupied islets lie in waters between Okinawa and Taiwan.

Furthermore, broader geopolitical frictions continue. Japan is deepening cooperation with American and other partners in the Asia-Pacific area, where a number of nations have their own maritime) disputes with China.

China, in turn, asserts extensive territorial claims in adjacent seas, activities that has drawn international concern.