China accuses Japan of military threats after J-15 jets locked radar on F-15s; Japan calls the action dangerous, lodging formal protests.
China and Japan are locked in heightened tensions following a reported radar incident over international waters near Japan’s Okinawa islands. Japanese officials say Chinese J-15 fighter jets twice aimed fire-control radar at Japanese F-15s on December 6, 2025, prompting formal protests from Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “extremely regrettable” and “dangerous,” asserting that Japanese aircraft maintained a safe distance throughout their mission. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara added that Japan denied China’s accusations that its jets interfered with Chinese operations.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned Japan’s actions during talks with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Wang accused Japan of “threatening China militarily” and claimed Takaichi was exploiting the Taiwan issue, a sensitive regional flashpoint, to justify closer military alignment and provoke tensions. Wang described Japan, as a World War II “defeated nation,” as needing to act with greater caution.
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State media reinforced Beijing’s stance, accusing Japan of exaggerating the radar incident and deliberately spreading misinformation to justify military expansion and alignment with Taiwan. The episode follows Takaichi’s November 2025, remarks suggesting that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could endanger Japan’s survival, prompting Beijing to warn of “serious consequences” if the statements were not retracted.
China expert Gordon Chang told Fox News Digital that recent incidents, including the radar confrontation, could escalate into broader conflict. “These acts could easily spiral into war, especially because China has shown limited willingness to deescalate,” Chang said.
The confrontation underscores growing strategic competition in the East China Sea, where both nations operate military aircraft and naval vessels near contested maritime zones. Analysts warn that repeated close encounters raise the risk of miscalculations, potentially triggering a more serious crisis.
Diplomatic channels remain active, with both sides lodging formal protests and emphasizing the need to avoid accidents. However, the rhetoric from Beijing and Tokyo highlights the challenge of managing disputes in a region already strained by historical grievances and contemporary security concerns, particularly regarding Taiwan’s status and regional defense postures.
Observers say the incident reflects a broader pattern of increasing military assertiveness by China near Japanese-controlled areas and a more robust Japanese defense posture under its 2015 security legislation. How both nations manage such encounters in the coming months may prove crucial for regional stability.
Africa Daily News, New York
