TOKYO — Japan’s government confirmed on Monday that radar from Chinese military aircraft locked onto its fighter jets, asserting that there was ample distance between the planes and dismissing Beijing’s claims of improper conduct. This incident has reignited tensions between the two nations, a month after remarks from Japanese leadership regarding Taiwan heightened discord.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara addressed the media, emphasizing that Japan’s Self-Defense Force (SDF) jets were operating within a safe range during the situation. “Beijing’s assertions that our aircraft severely hindered their operations are not accurate,” Kihara asserted.

The controversy emerged following an incident over the weekend, during which Japan and Australia urged calm after Chinese military aircraft directed radar at the Japanese fighters. Japan quickly issued a formal protest, labeling the incident as both regrettable and dangerous, and stressing it exceeded necessary operational protocols.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the radar locking as “extremely regrettable,” while confirming that Japan had formally lodged a protest with China, demanding preventative actions. The incident on Saturday involved Chinese J-15 fighter jets conducting exercises from the carrier Liaoning near Okinawa, intermittently locking radar onto Japanese F-15s.

Reports indicated that Japanese jets had been deployed to monitor the Chinese aircraft at a safe distance during takeoff and landing exercises. Defense officials stated that the SDF did not engage in any actions that might provoke a confrontation. Fortunately, there were no injuries or breaches of Japanese airspace resulting from this episode.

A spokesperson for the Chinese navy defended the military exercises, insisting they had been announced in advance and accused Japanese jets of harassment. Senior Colonel Wang Xuemeng called for Japan to cease its “slander” and to restrain its military activities, warning that the Chinese Navy would take necessary measures to uphold its security interests.

Kihara also stressed the need for open communication channels between the two nations and refrained from discussing whether an established hotline was utilized during the incident. Following an emergency meeting, officials from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party expressed heightened concerns that such radar incidents could indicate an increased security threat from China.

Tensions have escalated recently, particularly after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested the nation might become involved if China were to take aggressive actions against Taiwan. Takaichi referred to the radar incident as “extremely disappointing,” reinforcing Japan’s commitment to maintaining vigilance in monitoring Chinese military movements in the region.

During a press conference, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles conveyed deep concern regarding China’s recent military actions, emphasizing the importance of safe and professional interactions. Marles articulated Australia’s position on the status quo regarding the Taiwan Strait, highlighting the need to maintain productive relations with Beijing while advocating for regional stability.

Japan and Australia are solidifying their military collaboration, agreeing to develop a comprehensive strategic defense framework focused on multilateral cooperation in the region. This partnership has gained traction as both nations enhance defense ties beyond traditional alliances.

In a notable update, Marles visited a shipyard in Nagasaki to witness the production of upgraded naval vessels, further indicating the commitment to modernizing their defense systems amidst regional tensions. The radar-lock incident marks a potentially significant moment in Japan-China military relations, historically notable due to a previous incident involving targeting by a Chinese warship.

In related developments, tensions in the broader Pacific region continue, as the Philippine Coast Guard recently reported that Chinese forces fired flares toward a patrol aircraft in disputed waters, underscoring ongoing maritime disputes in the area.