Japan lodged a formal protest with China on Sunday after Chinese J-15 fighter jets repeatedly locked fire-control radar on Japanese F-15 aircraft on Saturday south of Okinawa.
The incidents lasted several minutes and occurred while Japanese jets monitored takeoff and landing drills from China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning.
No Japanese airspace was violated and no damage was reported.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the radar illuminations as “an extremely regrettable” and “dangerous” act that exceeded safe operational limits.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the episode “extremely disappointing” and pledged calm but resolute surveillance of Chinese military activity.
Japan scrambled its fighters only to observe the previously announced Chinese exercises at a safe distance, officials said, and took no provocative actions.
Chinese navy spokesperson Senior Colonel Wang Xuemeng rejected Tokyo’s account, stating Japanese aircraft had disrupted lawful training east of the Miyako Strait.
He demanded Japan cease “slandering and smearing” and warned the Chinese Navy would take necessary measures to protect its security and rights.
Beijing had announced the carrier-based flight exercises in advance.
Visiting Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles voiced deep concern over the incident and stressed the need for safe and professional interactions.
Marles reaffirmed Canberra’s opposition to any unilateral change to the Taiwan Strait status quo while noting China remains Australia’s largest trading partner.
During talks in Tokyo, the two ministers agreed to establish a comprehensive framework for strategic defense coordination and strengthen regional multilateral cooperation.
Australia recently selected Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate to modernize its own navy.