Overview
- Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi said intermittent illumination is inconsistent with search use and called the action dangerous.
- Japan’s Defense Ministry reported two episodes by J-15s from the carrier Liaoning, around 16:32 for about three minutes and around 18:37 for roughly 30 minutes intermittently.
- China acknowledged radar activation as routine during carrier flight training and accused Japanese fighters of entering its exercise area without permission.
- Koizumi said no NOTAM or navigation warnings were issued for the training area, rejected claims of JASDF interference, and declined to say whether the defense hotline was used.
- Reporting indicates the Japan–China hotline is seen as not functioning effectively as Liaoning operations continued with about 100 carrier aircraft takeoffs and landings on Dec. 6–7, prompting calls for calm and better communication including from Okinawa’s governor.