China’s J-15 fighter jets targeted two Japanese F-15 aircraft with radar near Okinawa in separate incidents on December 6, prompting Japan to file a formal diplomatic protest and brief Australia, describing the actions as dangerous and escalating.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has accused Chinese military aircraft of locking radar onto two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15 fighters over international waters southeast of Okinawa on December 6, heightening tensions in the East China Sea.
According to the ministry, Chinese J-15 fighters launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning targeted two separate Japanese F-15s in two distinct incidents. The first radar lock occurred between 4:32 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., and the second between 6:37 p.m. and approximately 7:08 p.m. The affected aircraft were responding to an airspace violation alert mission.
No injuries or physical damage were reported. However, Japan’s top defense official condemned the actions as unsafe. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters on December 7, “This was a dangerous act that exceeds the scope necessary to ensure the safe flight of aircraft, and the fact that such an incident occurred is extremely regrettable.” He confirmed that Japan had issued a formal protest to China and demanded measures to prevent recurrence.
Koizumi also briefed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Tokyo, who described the incident as “a matter of serious concern” and emphasized Australia’s intention to closely coordinate with Japan on regional security.
Radar illumination, particularly using fire-control systems, is considered a serious provocation in international military encounters. Locking radar—known as radar lock-on—is used to track and target an aircraft for potential missile engagement, providing precise distance and trajectory data. Being “locked” alerts the targeted aircraft that it is within missile firing parameters, and such an action is viewed as an aggressive escalation.
The December 6 incident is reminiscent of a January 2013 confrontation, when a Chinese naval vessel illuminated a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer with fire-control radar in the East China Sea.
The Chinese aircraft involved reportedly departed from the Liaoning, which has been operating in the Pacific, while the JASDF fighters were scrambled in response to a potential airspace violation and were acting defensively.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense stated it will continue to monitor the situation and emphasized that it will respond calmly but firmly to any actions threatening regional peace. Koizumi reiterated that the radar targeting “was a dangerous act that exceeded what is required for the safe flight of aircraft” and confirmed that Japan has formally protested to China, again demanding measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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