Mon Dec 08 08:59:44 UTC 2025: Headline: Japan Summons Chinese Ambassador Over Radar Lock Incident, Tensions Soar Amid Taiwan Stance
Tokyo, Japan – Tensions between Japan and China have escalated sharply after Japan summoned China’s ambassador to protest what it calls a dangerous incident involving Chinese military aircraft. According to Japanese officials, Chinese J-15 fighter jets twice locked fire-control radar onto Japanese fighter jets over international waters southeast of Okinawa on Saturday, a claim vehemently denied by the Chinese embassy.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident as “extremely regrettable” and potentially provocative. Locking fire-control radar onto another aircraft is considered a highly aggressive act that could compel the targeted plane to take evasive action.
The diplomatic escalation follows recent controversial comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Takaichi stated last month that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, implying potential military intervention. These remarks have ignited fury in Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.
China has responded to Takaichi’s stance with a series of retaliatory measures, including summoning the Japanese ambassador, lodging complaints at the United Nations, urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, and reinstating a ban on Japanese seafood imports. Cultural events featuring Japanese performers have also been affected.
Both nations have traded accusations, with the Chinese Navy claiming that Japanese F-15s repeatedly approached its training area and endangered flight safety. Japan’s chief government spokesman, Minoru Kihara, refuted these claims as unfounded, stating that Japan will “respond calmly but firmly” and continue to monitor Chinese military activity.
According to Japan’s military, approximately 100 take-offs and landings were conducted from the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning as it sailed east into the Pacific Ocean past the Okinawa Islands over the weekend.
The Chinese embassy has issued a statement demanding that Japan “stop smearing and slandering” and “strictly restrain its frontline actions” to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The United States ambassador to Japan has voiced support for Tokyo in the dispute. Japan hosts the largest foreign deployment of the United States military, including thousands of US Marines stationed in Okinawa.
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