Overview
- Japan’s defense ministry says J-15s from the carrier Liaoning intermittently locked onto F-15s twice on Dec. 6 southeast of Okinawa, around 4:32 p.m. and 6:37 p.m.
- Officials reported no injuries, damage or breach of Japanese airspace, and Tokyo lodged a formal protest calling the actions dangerous and extremely regrettable.
- China rejected Japan’s account, saying the flights were pre-announced training and accusing Japanese aircraft of harassment near the Miyako area.
- The encounters are believed to be the first radar lock incidents between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft, with a 2013 naval radar-targeting case cited as precedent.
- Australia voiced deep concern and urged restraint as Japan continues to monitor the carrier group operating with accompanying destroyers in waters near Okinawa.