Tokyo has accused Chinese military aircraft of conducting a series of highly provocative and dangerous radar lock-ons against Japanese fighter jets in international airspace near Okinawa. The incident, which occurred on Saturday 7 December 2025, represents one of the most serious military escalations between the two nations in recent years.
A Dangerous and Unprecedented Escalation
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that two separate radar lock-on incidents took place on Saturday afternoon and evening. He described the actions as "dangerous acts" and confirmed that Japan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Beijing. According to Mr Koizumi, the Chinese aircraft involved were J-15 fighter jets that had launched from the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.
The jets targeted Japanese F-15 fighters over international waters southeast of Japan’s Okinawa island chain. Directing fire-control radar at another aircraft is considered a profoundly threatening manoeuvre, as it simulates the preparatory steps for a missile launch and can force the targeted plane to take evasive action.
"These radar illuminations went beyond what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraft," Mr Koizumi stated in a post on the social media platform X.
Timeline of the Confrontation and Conflicting Claims
The Japanese defence ministry provided a detailed account of the encounters. The first instance occurred just after 4:30 PM local time on Saturday, with a Chinese J-15 locking its radar onto a Japanese F-15 for approximately three minutes. A second, more prolonged incident followed about two hours later, lasting for 30 minutes and targeting a different F-15.
Japanese officials asserted that their aircraft were maintaining a safe distance and did not engage in any provocative behaviour. The radar locks were detected by multiple Japanese fighters that had been scrambled to monitor the Chinese carrier group's movements. No breach of Japanese airspace was recorded, and there were no reports of injuries or damage.
China has firmly rejected Japan's version of events. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, argued that the claims were inconsistent with the facts. Beijing insisted that a Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached and disrupted the Liaoning carrier strike group during a scheduled training exercise. Colonel Wang demanded that Japan "immediately stop slandering and smearing" and warned that China would take necessary measures to safeguard its security.
Broader Tensions and International Reaction
This aerial confrontation is the latest flashpoint in a relationship that has deteriorated sharply in recent months. Ties have plunged to a decades-long low following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressing a willingness to defend Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion. In retaliation, Beijing has advised its citizens against travel to Japan and paused plans to restart seafood imports.
The incident drew immediate concern from a key regional ally. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, who was in Tokyo for talks, labelled China's actions as "deeply concerning." He emphasised the expectation for all interactions to be safe and professional, stating Australia would "continue to work with Japan and stand with Japan in upholding that rules-based order."
Analysts believe this marks the first confirmed instance of a radar lock occurring between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft, signalling a dangerous new phase in their ongoing territorial and geopolitical disputes. The episode underscores the heightened risk of miscalculation in East Asia's crowded skies and waterways.
