Overview
- Japan’s Defense Ministry said a J-15 launched from the carrier Liaoning intermittently illuminated JASDF F-15s with radar twice on Dec. 6 over international waters southeast of Okinawa.
- The encounters lasted about three minutes in late afternoon and about thirty minutes in the evening near 270 kilometers west of Okidaitō Island.
- The government filed protests through diplomatic and defense channels, and Vice Minister Takehiro Funakoshi summoned the Chinese ambassador to demand measures to prevent a recurrence.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the action dangerous and said Japan will strengthen monitoring and vigilance in surrounding sea and airspace.
- The ministry said the pattern could suggest fire-control use but the purpose remains unconfirmed, with no airspace violation, injuries, or damage reported, while China publicly denied Japan’s account and accused JASDF jets of unsafe interference.