Overview
- Japan's Defense Ministry reported two Saturday encounters in which J‑15s from the carrier Liaoning directed fire‑control radar at F‑15s southeast of Okinawa.
- Tokyo filed a formal protest to Beijing on Sunday and urged China to prevent any recurrence; no injuries or damage were reported.
- China's navy rejected the account as "completely inconsistent with the facts," saying Japanese aircraft approached and disrupted announced exercises east of the Miyako Strait.
- Japan's Self‑Defense Forces said the Liaoning conducted about 100 takeoffs and landings in waters east of Okinawa over the weekend as regional militaries tracked the carrier group.
- The episodes follow weeks of friction after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Chinese military action against Taiwan could be an existential threat, drawing concern from partners such as Australia.