Japan’s Defense Ministry has taken the unusual step of publicly disclosing details of a recent encounter between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft, signaling a shift in how Tokyo handles incidents involving China and highlighting rising regional security concerns.

The ministry said Chinese J-15 fighter jets launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning repeatedly and intermittently directed fire-control radar at Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighters over international waters southeast of Okinawa. 

Radar illumination is widely regarded as a pre-attack action, and Japanese officials described the conduct as dangerous and beyond what would be required for normal flight operations.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan could not determine the intent of the Chinese aircraft, but stressed that repeated radar lock-ons would not be necessary if the purpose were merely search or monitoring. He said Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Beijing and demanded measures to prevent a recurrence.

The rapid disclosure reflects a broader change in Japan’s approach, as officials place greater emphasis on shaping international opinion amid escalating tensions with China. 

Japanese officials say Beijing has increased pressure on Japan across political, military and diplomatic fronts, prompting Tokyo to release information quickly rather than risk China dominating the narrative.

China rejected Japan’s account. PLA Navy spokesperson Wang Xuemeng (王學猛) said Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft repeatedly approached and interfered with Chinese training activities in designated air and sea zones east of the Miyako Strait, endangering flight safety. He urged Japan to stop what he called smearing and slander and warned that China would take necessary measures to safeguard its security and lawful rights. 

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the Liaoning continued large-scale carrier-based takeoff and landing drills around Okinawa after the incident. 

Analysts say the sustained tempo of Chinese military activity is aimed at normalizing the People’s Liberation Army’s presence near Japan and Taiwan, potentially reducing the likelihood of outside intervention in a Taiwan contingency.