Tokyo Protests After Chinese Jet Targets Japanese Aircraft With Radar Lock

Japan Summons Chinese Envoy After Alleged ‘Radar Lock’ by PLA Jets Near Okinawa.

Japan has summoned China’s ambassador in Tokyo to protest what it says was a Chinese military aircraft locking its fire-control radar onto Japanese fighter jets — an act it condemned as dangerous and “extremely regrettable” as tensions between the two countries intensify.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the incident took place on Saturday over international waters southeast of Okinawa, where J-15 jets from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier allegedly targeted Japanese aircraft that had been scrambled to monitor the vessel. The Chinese embassy has denied the claim.

A fire-control radar lock is considered a serious provocation because it signals a potential attack, often forcing the targeted aircraft to take evasive action.

Incident Comes Amid Sharp Diplomatic Standoff

The move to summon Ambassador Wu Jianghao follows weeks of escalating friction. Tensions spiked after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declared last month that a Chinese assault on Taiwan would amount to a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan — comments Beijing interpreted as a sign Tokyo could intervene militarily.

China has since summoned Japan’s envoy, lodged a complaint with the United Nations, warned its citizens against travelling to Japan, and extended its ban on Japanese seafood imports. Cultural events involving Japanese films and performers have also been affected.

The radar-lock incident is likely to deepen the diplomatic rift as both sides exchange sharp protests amid an increasingly volatile security environment in the region.