Overview
- Japan’s defense ministry said Chinese J-15s from the carrier Liaoning intermittently locked fire-control radars onto two Japanese F-15s in separate encounters southeast of Okinawa.
- Officials reported a second radar lock about two hours after the first and said the incidents occurred over international waters with no casualties or damage.
- Tokyo lodged a formal protest, summoned Ambassador Wu Jianghao, and urged China to ensure such actions do not recur.
- China called Tokyo’s account “totally contrary to reality,” asserting Japanese aircraft repeatedly approached a Chinese naval training area and endangered flight safety.
- Japan dispatched F-15s and heightened air and maritime surveillance, as Australia’s defense minister voiced deep concern and signaled readiness to cooperate with Japan.