Japan Summons Chinese Ambassador Over Reported Radar Locks on Jets Near Okinawa

Overview

• Japan’s Defense Ministry said two Chinese J-15s from the carrier Liaoning intermittently locked fire-control radars on JASDF F-15s southeast of Okinawa on Saturday, with no damage reported.
• Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi summoned Ambassador Wu Jianghao and lodged a strong protest, urging China to prevent a recurrence of what Tokyo called dangerous conduct.
• China denied targeting the Japanese fighters and issued a counter-protest, asserting Japanese aircraft endangered safety near Miyako Strait during announced training.
• Regional intelligence and multiple reports described an unusually large Chinese naval presence this week that peaked above 100 vessels across the Yellow, East and South China seas and into the Pacific, without an official Chinese announcement.
• Taiwanese security officials said four Chinese naval formations are operating in the western Pacific, and Australia voiced concern as Tokyo links the frictions to heightened PLA activity around Japan.