Overview
- Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed China’s actions are not conducive to regional peace and will keep close communication, with plans to meet in early 2026.
- Koizumi briefed NATO’s Mark Rutte and Italy’s Guido Crosetto on the radar incidents and China‑Russia bomber patrols, with both sides sharing grave concern and pledging deeper cooperation including NATO–IP4 ties.
- Japan reported two Dec. 6 cases of Chinese J‑15s intermittently locking fire‑control radar on JSDF F‑15s over international waters near Okinawa, which Tokyo labels dangerous and destabilizing.
- The U.S. flew two B‑52s with Japanese F‑35s and F‑15s over the Sea of Japan after China‑Russia joint bomber flights, a display Japan framed as readiness, though a U.S. official said the mission was pre‑planned.
- Beijing rejects Tokyo’s account, insisting radar use during training is routine and accusing Japan of hype, while tensions trace back to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks that drew Chinese travel warnings and seafood import suspensions.