On Sunday, Japan and Australia called for calm following a significant incident in which Chinese military aircraft reportedly locked their radar onto Japanese fighter jets. This incident occurred just a month after remarks by Japan's Prime Minister that heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing regarding Taiwan.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed strong disapproval of the incident, labeling it an "extremely regrettable act" that posed a danger exceeding what is necessary for safe aircraft operations. "We have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side and demanded strict preventive measures," Koizumi stated. Japan's Defense Ministry revealed that a Chinese J-15 military aircraft took off from the Chinese carrier Liaoning near Okinawa, intermittently locking its radar on Japanese F-15 fighter jets on two separate occasions. The first incident lasted approximately three minutes in the late afternoon, followed by a 30-minute radar lock in the evening.
It remains unclear whether the same Chinese J-15 was involved in both radar lock incidents. Japanese fighter jets had been scrambled to monitor Chinese aircraft conducting takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific. Reports from Kyodo News indicate that the Japanese jets maintained a safe distance and did not engage in any provocative actions during the radar lock. Importantly, there was no breach of Japanese airspace, and no injuries or damage were reported from the encounter.
In response, Senior Colonel Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese navy, defended the flight training operations near Miyako Island. He asserted that China had announced the exercises in advance and accused Japanese aircraft of harassment. "We solemnly ask the Japanese side to immediately stop slandering and smearing, and strictly restrain its frontline actions," Wang stated. He emphasized that the Chinese Navy would take necessary measures to protect its security and legitimate rights.
Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated following comments made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in early November, in which she indicated that Japan's military could intervene if China were to act against Taiwan. Following the radar lock incident, Takaichi expressed her disappointment, stating, "We will act calmly and resolutely," and affirmed Japan's commitment to conducting thorough surveillance operations in its waters and airspace.
During a scheduled meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japanese and Australian defense ministers expressed shared concerns over recent developments. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized, "We are deeply concerned by the actions of China in the last 24 hours," highlighting the expectation for interactions to remain safe and professional. Marles reiterated Australia's desire to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Straits and underscored the importance of productive relations with China, which is Australia's largest trade partner.
In their discussions, Japan and Australia agreed to enhance their military ties to promote regional multilateral defense cooperation. The two ministers committed to establishing a comprehensive framework for strategic defense coordination, marking a significant step in Japan's military buildup and its expanding defense relationships beyond its traditional ally, the United States.
The recent radar lock incident is notable as it marks the first occurrence involving Japanese and Chinese military aircraft of this nature. According to reports, a similar incident occurred in 2013 when a Chinese warship targeted a Japanese destroyer with radar. Generally, fighter jets employ radars for search operations or fire control ahead of potential missile launches.
In related news, the Philippine coast guard reported that Chinese forces fired three flares at a fisheries bureau plane patrolling the South China Sea on Saturday. These flares are typically used by Chinese forces to warn aircraft away from what they claim as their airspace over disputed waters, further illustrating the growing tensions in the region.