In a tense episode that has sent ripples across the Asia-Pacific, Japan has lodged a formal and forceful protest against China after Chinese J-15 fighter jets locked fire-control radar twice onto Japanese F-15s over international waters southeast of Okinawa on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The incident, which Japanese officials described as both dangerous and “extremely regrettable,” marks a new flashpoint in the already strained relationship between the two regional powers and has drawn in voices of concern from allies and observers across the globe.
According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the Chinese J-15s—launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning—illuminated Japanese jets with radar beams first for about three minutes in the late afternoon and then again for roughly 30 minutes in the evening. The radar lock-on, considered one of the most threatening actions short of actual combat, is widely interpreted as a potential prelude to missile engagement and forces targeted aircraft to take evasive maneuvers. The Japanese jets had been scrambled to monitor Chinese aircraft conducting takeoff and landing drills as the carrier sailed east into the Pacific, past the Okinawa Islands. Japan’s military reported that about 100 take-offs and landings were conducted from the Liaoning over the weekend.
Despite the high-stakes encounter, no breach of Japanese airspace occurred, and there were no reports of injuries or damage. A Japanese defense official, quoted by BBC, noted that the intention of the Chinese jets was "unclear," but emphasized, "there was no need to lock on to the Japanese planes if their intention was to locate other aircraft." The official further clarified that the Japanese aircraft did not engage in any actions that could be construed as provocative.
Japan’s response was swift and unequivocal. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi convened an emergency news conference in the early hours of Sunday, describing the radar lock-on as “a dangerous act that exceeds the scope necessary for the safe flight of aircraft.” He added, “We view the occurrence of such an incident with utmost regret, and we have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side while making a stern demand for measures to prevent any recurrence.” Koizumi’s words were echoed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who called the incident “extremely disappointing” and pledged, “We will act calmly and resolutely. We will do the utmost in carrying out surveillance operations around Japanese waters and airspace, while closely watching Chinese military activity around Japan.”
In a further display of diplomatic seriousness, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, on Sunday to formally protest what it called the dangerous and “extremely regrettable” behavior of the Chinese jets. Japan’s chief government spokesman, Minoru Kihara, rejected China’s accusations that Japanese aircraft had interfered with its operations, stating, “The Self Defense Force (fighter jets) were maintaining safe distance during their mission. China’s claim that SDF aircraft severely obstructed their safe flight is untrue.” Kihara also stressed the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the two sides, though he declined to say whether the bilateral hotline established in 2018 was used during the incident.
China, for its part, has flatly denied the Japanese account and countered with accusations of its own. Senior Colonel Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese navy, defended China’s flight training near Miyako Island, asserting that the exercises were announced beforehand and accusing the Japanese jets of “harassment.” In a statement posted on the Chinese Ministry of Defense website, Wang declared, “We solemnly asked the Japanese side to immediately stop slandering and smearing, and strictly restrain its frontline actions. The Chinese Navy will take necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely safeguard its own security and legitimate rights and interests.” The Chinese embassy in Japan echoed this stance, demanding that Tokyo “strictly restrain its frontline actions, and prevent similar incidents from happening again.”
This latest military standoff comes at a time of rapidly escalating tensions between Japan and China, fueled in large part by political developments surrounding Taiwan. In early November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, hinting that Tokyo could intervene militarily. These remarks, made soon after Takaichi took office in October, have deeply angered Beijing, which regards the self-governed island as an integral part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. The diplomatic fallout has been severe: China has summoned the Japanese ambassador, written to the United Nations, urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports, and suspended a range of cultural exchanges and events involving Japanese performers and films.
The radar lock-on incident has also drawn in Australia, whose defense minister, Richard Marles, was in Tokyo for scheduled talks with his Japanese counterpart. Both countries expressed deep concern over the incident and agreed to bolster military ties. Marles, speaking at a joint news conference, stated, “We are deeply concerned by the actions of China in the last 24 hours. We expect those interactions to be safe and professional.” He added that Australia, while seeking productive relations with Beijing, does “not want to see any change to the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.” The two ministers agreed to form a comprehensive framework for strategic defense coordination, signaling a further tightening of security cooperation in the region. Marles also visited a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki to observe the production of upgraded Mogami-class frigates, which Australia recently selected to replace its aging fleet.
Amidst these developments, the United States has also voiced support for Tokyo. The U.S. ambassador to Japan expressed solidarity with Japan’s position, though President Donald Trump, who is slated to visit China for trade talks next year, has so far refrained from direct involvement in the dispute. Japan continues to host the largest foreign deployment of U.S. military forces, including thousands of Marines stationed in Okinawa—a fact that underscores the island’s strategic significance.
Regional tensions remain high, with both sides trading accusations and warnings. The radar lock incident is believed to be the first such interaction between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft, though a similar maritime radar targeting occurred in 2013. The broader context includes recent confrontations near disputed islands in the East China Sea, as well as Japan’s plans to deploy missiles from Yonaguni Island, a move that has also drawn Beijing’s ire.
As the dust settles from the weekend’s events, the episode stands as a stark reminder of how swiftly military maneuvers and political rhetoric can escalate into dangerous standoffs, especially in a region where historical grievances, strategic interests, and national pride intersect so sharply. For now, both sides appear determined to assert their positions—calmly, perhaps, but with unmistakable resolve.
