China-Japan Tensions Rise Over Military Incidents

Diplomatic tensions between Japan and China escalated over the weekend following accusations that Chinese military aircraft locked their radar onto Japanese fighter jets near the Okinawa islands. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged a calm yet resolute response, stating that the country would enhance maritime and airspace surveillance and closely observe Chinese military operations.

The incident, which occurred southeast of Okinawa's main islands, saw Japan's defense ministry report approximately 100 fighter jet take-offs from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier. This included claims that Chinese J-15 fighter aircraft targeted Japanese F-15s with fire-control radar on two occasions, first at 4:32 PM and again approximately two hours later on Saturday.

A radar lock is considered a serious military provocation, compelling the affected aircraft to take evasive measures. Japan's defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, expressed that such actions were dangerous and extremely regrettable, emphasizing that they exceeded what was necessary for safe flight.

In response, Japan's foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador, Wu Jianghao, to formally protest what it termed dangerous actions. China's government has categorically denied Japan's claims, asserting that Japan's Self-Defense Forces were intruding on its training exercises and accused Japan of escalating tensions.

The recent military incident follows heightened tensions over comments made by Takaichi regarding potential military involvement in a Taiwan conflict, which has drawn the ire of Beijing. Japan's postwar constitution limits its military engagement, but a 2015 amendment allows for collective self-defense under certain conditions.

In retaliation, China has imposed economic measures, including a ban on Japanese seafood imports and increased military presence in disputed waters, while state media has reignited territorial disputes over the Ryukyu Island chain, which includes Okinawa.