Japan Protests “Perilous Act” as chinese Jet Locks Radar on Japanese Fighters
TOKYO - Japan’s Defense Ministry has lodged a strong protest with China after a Chinese J-15 fighter aircraft repeatedly targeted its radar at Japanese F-15 fighter jets on Saturday, an incident officials are calling a “dangerous act.” The radar lock occurred twice – for approximately three minutes in the late afternoon and for around 30 minutes in the evening – as the Japanese jets scrambled in response to a potential airspace violation.
While no Japanese airspace was breached and no damage or injuries were reported, the incident marks a notable escalation in tensions between the two nations, already strained by recent rhetoric over Taiwan. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated Sunday, “The occurrence of such an incident is extremely regrettable,” and demanded “strict preventive measures” from China, characterizing the radar lock as exceeding the scope necessary for safe aircraft operations.
The incident unfolded as China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning conducted aircraft takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific, passing between Okinawa and Miyako islands. Japanese F-15s pursued the Liaoning’s aircraft at a safe distance, according to defense officials quoted by Kyodo News, ensuring their actions were not perceived as provocative.
Radar locks,used for both search and as a precursor to missile launches,are rarely employed in such a manner. This is believed to be the first instance of a radar lock between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft, though a similar incident involving a Chinese warship targeting a Japanese destroyer’s radar occurred in 2013.
The heightened tensions follow a statement earlier this month by Japanese Prime Minister sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could perhaps intervene militarily if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island beijing claims as its own. China expressed strong disapproval of Takaichi’s remarks, contributing to the recent deterioration in bilateral relations.